CINCINNATI -- The NFL draft is slowly coming into focus.
Within the next three weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals and the other 31 league teams will have their latest group of rookies in place as the offseason continues its march to September's opening-week games.
As we continue our pre-draft coverage, we're taking a look this week at several needs, and a few draft hopefuls who could be options to fill them.
Up next: Wide receiver
WRs on current roster: 9 (A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, James Wright, Brandon Tate, Denarius Moore, Tevin Reese, Eric Ward, Cobi Hamilton)
Current combined WR cap value: $15,716,969
*Career approximate value for current WRs: Green (43), Jones (9), Sanu (14), Wright (1), Tate (13), Moore (15), Reese (0), Ward (0), Hamilton (0)
Rounds current WRs drafted in: Green (1st -- 2011), Jones (5th -- 2012), Sanu (3rd -- 2012), Wright (7th -- 2014), Tate (3rd -- 2009), Moore (5th -- 2011), Reese (7th -- 2014), Ward (undrafted), Hamilton (6th -- 2013)
Round Bengals could draft WRs: Likely on Day 2, another in late rounds
Reasons WR is a need: The Bengals were caught off guard last year when three receivers and a tight end missed large chunks of the season due to injuries. Cincinnati lost so many key pass-catchers that they were forced into using backup running back Rex Burkhead as an additional receiver in the playoff game. This offseason, coaches have vowed to never let conditions at the position get that bad again. They likely are adding two receivers through this draft to go along with the two recent free-agency moves (signing Moore and re-signing Tate) they made at the position. Cincinnati still needs larger-bodied receivers who can get open downfield, as well as smaller, shiftier ones who can be explosive in space. Next year's pending free-agency decisions on Sanu, Jones, Green, Tate and Moore makes the push for younger, cheaper receivers all the more necessary.
*Career approximate value comes from a Pro-Football-Reference.com metric that attempts to attach value to individual players. The higher the number, the better. Typically veterans will have higher AVs than younger players.
Possible WR options:
Phillip Dorsett, Miami -- Florida (5-10, 185)
It still seems most likely the Bengals start looking at adding a receiver on Day 2 with their pick at 53rd overall. If he somehow slips that far, Dorsett could be the ideal second-round selection. He was clocked at 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash during Miami's pro day, and he has versatility as both a receiver and returner. The biggest problem is that as a fringe first-round player, it's unlikely he'll be on the board when the Bengals pick in the second round.
Nelson Agholor, USC (6-0, 198)
Agholor isn't as fast as Dorsett (clocked a 4.42 40), but he was also productive as both a returner and receiver. Some project him as a possible early second-round selection, meaning he, too, may not be available when the Bengals' second pick arrives.
Tyler Lockett, Kansas State (5-10, 182)
Built similarly as Dorsett, Lockett has on-field red flags that might make teams overlook him. He had wrist, kidney and hamstring injuries his four years at Kansas State, and he also had seven fumbles in 46 career games. Compared to Dorsett and Agholor, though, he ought to be available when the Bengals pick at No. 53.
Justin Hardy, East Carolina (5-10, 192)
A former walk-on, Hardy possesses the type of chip-on-shoulder attitude Bengals coaches are seeking to add. He was credited by Scouts, Inc. with one of the best drop rates among receivers in this draft class. The potential third- or fourth-round pick could also be a contributor on offense and special teams.
Other potential WR fits:
Mario Alford (West Virginia), Jamison Crowder (Duke), Darren Waller (Georgia Tech), Devin Gardner (Michigan -- former QB), Stephon Diggs (Maryland), J.J. Nelson (UAB)
