Bengals draft strategy: Wide receivers

In this 10-part series, The Enquirer looks at the strategy for the Bengals 2017 draft by counting down the team's positional needs from least pressing to most immediate. Bengals beat writers Jim Owczarski and Paul Dehner, Jr. analyze top players, sleepers, Bengals history, fits and what experts say. The draft is April 27-29 in Philadelphia.

Today discusses wide receivers.

Full series:

• April 17: Quarterbacks
• April 18: Safeties
• April 19: Wide receivers
• April 20: Specialists
• April 21: Cornerbacks
• April 22: Tight ends
• April 23: Linebackers
• April 24: Running backs
• April 25: Offensive line
• April 26: Defensive line

Positional Priority

Eight of 10. Cincinnati invested in the position and reaped rewards last year with the emergence of rookies Tyler Boyd, Cody Core and Alex Erickson. The club also re-signed Brandon LaFell to a two-year deal after a one-year audition opposite A.J. Green. They still find themselves in need of a receiver who can take the top off the defense. Speed lacks on the edge.

Rate the Class

Not of the 2014 and ’15 cornucopia variety, but another quality crop. The top is dominated by Corey Davis (Western Michigan), Mike Williams (Clemson) and John Ross (Washington) and while you can’t find a plethora of 4.3 and 4.4 athletes in the late rounds, speed on tape exists and should be a Bengals target.

Bengals’ trend

The Bengals selected a receiver in the sixth or seventh round all but one year since 2008. Those picks have not worked out. The lone pick with potential to make a lasting impact is 2016 sixth-round selection Cody Core. Of the rest, four never caught a pass in stripes and only Ryan Whalen lasted into a third season. Not surprisingly, when using a slightly higher pick the Bengals hit consistently. Better results are obviously expected with a more valuable asset, but the vast difference suggests waiting too long to be a losing game.

• Year drafted, round, player (years with Bengals): Bengals receptions-yards
• 2008, 2, Jerome Simpson (4): 71-1,004
• 2008, 3, Andre Caldwell (4): 124-1,172
• 2010, 3, Jordan Shipley (2): 56-614
• 2011, 1, A.J. Green (6): 481-7,135
• 2012, 3, Mo Sanu (4): 152-1,793
• 2012, 5, Marvin Jones (3): 134-1,729
• 2016, 2, Tyler Boyd (1): 54-603

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• 2016, 6, Cody Core (1): 17-200
• 2015, 7, Mario Alford (1): 1-15
• 2014, 7a, James Wright (2): 18-197
• 2013, 6b, Cobi Hamilton (1): 0-0
• 2011, 6, Ryan Whalen (3): 11-80
• 2010, 6, Dezmon Briscoe (0): 0-0
• 2009, 7c, Freddie Brown (0): 0-0
• 2008, 7b, Mario Urrutia (0): 0-0

Key Variable

What’s the true opinion on Cody Core? The Bengals like Core. His ideal size-speed combo evolved into a weapon as the club gave him a shot late in the year. Yet, his play came with inconsistency expected of a sixth-round pick. If they truly believe he can turn into the weapon Marvin Jones developed into there’s little need to push into the earlier rounds for a wideout. If there is doubt, going receiver in the third, fourth or potentially earlier, makes sense.

Pro Football Focus College Research

PFF looked at deep receiving (passes over 20-plus yards in the air) for the most efficient performers. When tracking players with at least 10 catchable deep passes last year without a drop, here’s the list: Shelton Gibson (West Virginia), Jalen Robinette (Air Force), Chad Hansen (Cal), Josh Reynolds (Texas A&M), Zay Jones (East Carolina), DeAngelo Yancey (Purdue), Jake Maulhardt (Wyoming) and Carlos Henderson (La. Tech).

Sleepers to track

• Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M: He dubbed himself the best deep threat in this draft and with tape to back up his lanky 6-foot-4 frame, tough to argue. He averaged 17 yards per reception for his career and scored a touchdown in eight consecutive games last year. He’s a home-run hitter immediately with a shot to develop the rest. He’ll probably land early on Day 3. 
• DeAngelo Yancey, Purdue: Effective deep speed, despite lacking ample opportunity. Of his 10 catchable deep passes last year, via PFF, he caught all 10. Often where there is poor QB play there are diamonds in the rough. This could be the case and Cincinnati could grab him as an undrafted free agent or in the final rounds.
• Robert Davis, Georgia State: If it’s size-speed combo you love, Davis would be the guy. He’s 6-3, 219 pounds with a 4.4 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical jump. Those are freakish, first-round numbers. His play didn’t always back up the physical specs and competition lacked. But if looking to polish off a developmental gem, this could be a match. 

Best Bengals Fit

• Mack Hollins, North Carolina: There were few more consistent big-play receivers in college football the last three years. He averaged 20.6 yards per reception and caught 20 touchdowns in 34 games showing the knack to break wide open over the top. Plus, he owns an NFL body with the largest wingspan in the draft for a receiver (80 3/8) and ideal height-weight combo (6-4, 221). Even better for his immediate role, he’s an absolute star on special teams which the Bengals demand of their reserve receivers. Inexperience with the route tree could push him to the fourth round. If he’s there, he’d be ideal.

They said it

Western Michigan receiver Corey Davis on what separates him: “I would say a big thing that separates me from them is my work ethic. You can ask any one of my coaches or players, my work ethic is something that sets me apart from anyone in the country. I always put in extra work and that’s probably because I have that chip on my shoulder. I work like I’m the worst receiver in the draft, but my confidence is up there and I know I’m that top guy.”

Our prediction

The Bengals give another year for the three promising prospects from last year’s draft to take the next step and Brandon LaFell to pick up where he left off before devoting a first-round asset to the position. Still, they look to fill the over-the-top weapon in the middle rounds. If the player can be a factor on special teams as James Wright was, that will be part of the equation.