Cincinnati Bengals: Early 53-man roster predictions 2018, wide receivers
By Kenn Korb
Continuing to look at which players could make the Cincinnati Bengals 53-man roster for 2018, we now turn our attention to the wide receivers.
OTAs are underway and the season is still of in the distant future. That’s right, folks; it’s that special time in the offseason when we can start throwing out predictions and speculation at will. And with the Cincinnati Bengals, we’ve been doing that as we try to look ahead to who could make the team’s 53-man roster in 2018.
With the rosters as full as they can be, now is a great time for an early look at who the team may decide is worthy of those coveted 53 available spots once the regular season kicks off.
We have already seen the quarterbacks and running backs. Next up, the wide receivers.
Wide Receivers
* = starters; + = make roster
*A.J. Green
*John Ross
*Tyler Boyd
Devontae Boyd
+Cody Core
+Alex Erickson
Brandon LaFell
+Josh Malone
Auden Tate
Ka’Raun White
Kermit Whitfield
Green is still an elite receiver, eclipsing 1,000 yards receiving for sixth time in seven seasons. This was objectively his worst full season, though; he fell short of double-digit touchdown receptions for the first time when he played a full year, had his lowest catch percentage of any season (52.4), and let his frustrations boil over in a violent outburst against Jacksonville which involved him slamming Jalen Ramsey to the turf between plays.
It’d help if his fellow receivers were a threat. Last year, he had nearly a third of Cincinnati’s receiving yards himself (31.8 percent), while none of his receiver teammates even reached 550 receiving yards or four touchdowns.
Some major changes on the depth chart should help. John Ross had an injury-wrecked 2017, but if he is healthy he should be able to live up to the promise of his record-setting speed (set the combine 40-yard dash record). Putting that opposite Green would open things up even if he never catches a pass — and be a huge asset should he prove to be a capable receiving option in his own right.
In the slot should be Boyd, who had an up-and-down 2017 but ended on about as high of a note as there is: a miraculous game-winning catch-and-run touchdown on fourth down with the clock running out to beat the rival Baltimore Ravens and block them from a playoff berth. 10 of his 22 catches on the year came in the final two weeks (both wins), and that success should at least let him begin the year again as the main slot option.
There are a ton of talented bodies left to pick from, but the team probably won’t make the same mistake as last year by going with seven receivers despite glaring needs elsewhere. Six is more acceptable, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them go forward with guys they already have had around.
Erickson has proven to be a good return man they can turn to for a play here or there. Malone is a big option who should help in the red zone and short yardage. Core has athletic gifts which intrigued the team to keep him in tow last year even with injuries miring his ability to even be available. With these three and the starters, the team should have plenty of receiving talent in hand.
Next: NFL 2018: Rookie class bold predictions
LaFell, while a capable veteran, is undeniably limited in what he can provide an offense. He’s the “safe” choice, but he lacks the dynamism. Only one game last year saw him go over 60 receiving yards, and he caught just three touchdowns. The team needs to go with the young players they’ve invested time and draft capital in
. Beyond him, all the other players are young, flawed prospects who aren’t going to make this team barring injury, but a couple may make themselves worth a practice squad invite.