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Cincinnati Bengals: Predicting how rookies will perform

By Kenn Korb

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) John Ross of Washington poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: (L-R) John Ross of Washington poses with Commissioner of the National Football League Roger Goodell after being picked /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 25: Josh Malone #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this touchdown reception against Tony Brown #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 25: Josh Malone #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this touchdown reception against Tony Brown #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Josh Malone, WR

Expected Role: Speedy Red Zone Threat + Injury Insurance

2017 Statistical Prediction: 16 games (0 starts), 20 receptions, 264 yards, 2 TDs

John Ross’ addition was made to solve the speed problem on the outside. Malone was picked up to help with that too, as well as another issue entirely. Cincinnati was in the top-10 for red-zone touchdown scoring efficiency in both 2014 and 2015 (per TeamRankings.com). 2016 saw that total drop precipitously from those elite heights down to 18th.

The factors as to why are pretty obvious. Tyler Eifert missed the first half of the season; A.J. Green missed most of the second half. The height and speed of Jones was gone, as was the savvy short-area talents of Sanu. Boyd didn’t become a factor until the second half of the season. Jones and Sanu aren’t coming back, but full years of Eifert and Green should work wonders on this front by themselves. Malone’s skill-set should fit perfectly here as well.

He really has a lot of similarities to Jones, actually. Both came into their careers with underrated speed. Each has enticing frame and size characteristics. Now picture Jones with the rest of these Cincinnati offensive pieces, except this version of Jones is slightly taller and better in tight confines. If things go well, that’s what Malone can be for Cincinnati.

Of course, it’ll be difficult to get him involved much as a rookie without injuries hitting above him. Between Green, Ross, Boyd, and Brandon LaFell, there will only be so many balls to go around — and that’s before considering Eifert at tight end and Bernard/Mixon at running back getting targets as well. He may be above Cody Core and Alex Erickson, but he’s still under a handful of guys in the pecking order.

This being said, the likelihood of all those others actually staying healthy for 16 games is low. Green tends to get dinged up a bit at times. Eifert has spent practically half his four-year career missing games due to injury and has never made it through a 16-game slate unscathed. Ross is already likely to miss time early this year and I expect it that to be a worrying trend.

Those eventual problems will give Malone chances to prove himself, and while he likely is the fifth-best wide receiver on this team right now he could make a case to be worthy of more in the future.

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