CINCINNATI -- With organized team activities (OTAs) in full swing for the Cincinnati Bengals, we'll be spending the next couple weeks taking a position-by-position look at where their offseason roster currently stands.
We started at quarterback Monday, wondering if Andy Dalton really could be pushed by his three backups. Then we looked at running back Tuesday, where we explored the feasibility of using a true fullback this year.
Let's continue now at receiver, where we ask: Do Marvin Jones and Mario Alford have what it takes to be difference-makers at the position?
RECEIVER
WRs on the roster: 10. A.J. Green, Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, James Wright, Brandon Tate, Denarius Moore, Mario Alford, Tevin Reese, Cobi Hamilton, Jake Kumerow
Expected WR rotation: This is one of the many positions on the Bengals' roster that currently has more players than it will be able to hold once training camp ends at the start of September. Just like how the Bengals won't have four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster at the start of the regular season, neither will they have 10 receivers. It's most likely they will end up with six.
If that's the case, which six will make the cut? Obviously, Green, Sanu, Jones and Wright have confirmed spots. Alford probably has the fifth receiver position, with some combination of Tate, Moore, Reese, Hamilton and Kumerow then battling it out in training camp for that sixth job. Since Tate, Moore and Reese are speedsters who have special teams ability like Alford, it's possible neither would be considered for the final receiver spot. Then again, Hamilton has been overly inconsistent in his multiple stints in stripes, and Kumerow was an undrafted free agent.
In terms of the five who likely have spots locked down, Green of course will be expected to have the most number of receptions this season. The Pro Bowler has had more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first four seasons. He'll likely be complimented by some combination of Jones and Sanu at the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver spots, with Wright serving as a key third-down option. Alford may be the most versatile of the bunch. He's anticipating getting opportunities to run with the ball from the line of scrimmage via reverses and end arounds, and chances to catch passes and also field kicks and/or punts. He may only be a rookie, but Alford should have the ball in his hands often if he makes the roster as expected. His sub-4.3 40-yard speed is truly game changing.
WRs' offseason goals: Staying healthy will be objective No. 1 for a unit that was plagued all of 2014 by the injury bug. Jones missed the entire season with injuries, Green was out for parts of seven games including the playoff loss, and Wright was missing in action from Week 13 through the postseason. All three entered OTAs healthy.
In Jones' case, the million-dollar question is can he be viewed as a difference-maker this season? The answer ought to be "yes." But of course, the Bengals have very little idea what to expect from him when the season finally begins. After all, he hasn't been in a game since the 2013 season, and may have to take some time getting back acclimated with live game day speed. As far as practice, though, he looked great during Tuesday's open OTA session, catching passes both low and high, and outrunning cornerbacks to haul in deep balls.
"I'm here to pick up where I left off and help this team," Jones said.
Jones had 11 touchdowns -- 10 from inside the red zone -- in 2013.
