The Bengals received bad news this week, learning that Ja’Marr Chase is set to miss time with a hip injury. Though it seems like he’ll avoid going on IR, his absence is still likely to be a minimum of a few weeks. As I touched on in the summer, the Bengals have a hole at WR4. And that is while accounting for a healthy Chase. With the star wideout now injured, adding an outside name would not be a bad idea. Do they go that route, or do they explore in-house options instead? I’ll take a look at some options on each side.
Outside Options:
Via Free Agency:
– Will Fuller
This is the best option for the Bengals. Losing a guy like Chase, you are ideally replacing him with someone who is actually capable of making a difference. Though Higgins and Boyd are certainly top players in their own right, the team lacks speed at the moment. Fuller has had his injury issues, but is a great playmaker when healthy, and would add a speed component that the Bengals are missing.
– John Ross
A familiar face lands on the list. Though there seemed to be some bad blood between Ross and the coaching staff as his time in Cincinnati concluded, a reunion may work for both parties. For the Bengals, a lot of what I mentioned above also applies here. Though not the same calibre that Fuller is, Ross is a capable deep threat on the outside, and his speed would be useful, especially while Chase is out.
– Tyler Johnson
Johnson put some good stuff on film in college, and had some productive moments with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being drafted. He was somewhat surprisingly waived during the final cuts, and claimed by the Texans. Johnson was again released only a few days ago, and is currently on the open market. Though he doesn’t bring as much speed as guys like Fuller or Ross, Johnson has talent as a pass catcher and has a well rounded game. He would be capable of filling in while Chase is out, and make a good WR4 after he returns.
– Dede Westbrook
Westbrook has bounced around over the last few years, but the talented wideout posted some solid numbers in Jacksonville earlier in his career. He brings speed to the table and can be used around the formation. A real opportunity may be what he needs to resurrect his career.
– Auden Tate
Though technically on the Eagles practice squad, the Bengals would be able to poach him, if the Eagles don’t block them by signing Tate to their active roster. Truth be told, Tate’s skillset isn’t the best fit for what the Bengals’ current needs are. However, he is a capable player and he knows the system. He is a better option than all or most of the depth WR’s currently on the roster.
– Kalil Pimpleton
Not the most notable of names, but by this point, the pickings are getting slimmer. The rookie UDFA is currently on the Giants practice squad, but could be poached. Though he is not likely someone that could fill much of the void left by Chase, he has a lot of speed and could contribute as a rotational/gadget piece.
– Corey Coleman
Please bear with me here, as I attempt to throw one final lifeline to an old draft crush. Coleman may seem like old news at this point. Maybe he is. But thinking back to his earlier days in the NFL, his skillset is exactly what the Bengals could use. Still only 28 years old, perhaps one last shot will do the trick.
Via Trade:
– Terrace Marshall (Panthers)
Joe Burrow’s former LSU teammate hasn’t gotten off the start he would have liked in Carolina. The Panthers are tearing things apart, already trading Christian McCaffery. They may be interested in recouping a draft pick for what seems to be a failed experiment. For the Bengals a change of scenery and reunion with Burrow may just be what he needs to jump start his career.
– Elijah Moore or Denzel Mims (Jets)
Elijah Moore is the bigger name of the two Jet receivers. Now in his second year in the league, there seems to be a rift between the player and coaches. Moore has requested a trade. Though the Jets have stated that they won’t be accommodating the request, it may be just an attempt to retain as much leverage as possible. If available, his speed and route running ability would bring a nice boost to the Bengals offence, should they find a way to acquire him.
Mims was a raw, but high upside player coming out of college. His size/speed combo had many people excited about his potential. Unfortunately, he has never been able to put it all together in New York, and has been out of favour for a while now. It is hard to say if he could make much of an impact in the time that Chase is out, but he would be a nice project for the WR4 spot.
– Marvin Jones (Jaguars)
Another old friend, though Jones goes back a bit farther. He brought a lot of excitement to the Bengals offence in 2013 and 2015. Jones is still an effective player today. Though the Jaguars look improved, they are likely headed for another losing season. Getting a draft pick for a veteran player on an expiring contract would be good for them, while the depth would be good for the Bengals, who are in win-now mode.
In-House Options:
– Roll With the Depth WR’s
Though Chase’s absence will be a big one, it is possible that the Bengals let Higgins, Boyd, and TE Hayden Hurst handle the additional work. This would likely mean relying on the depth guys to fill the rest of the void. Trent Taylor, Mike Thomas, and Stanley Morgan are all on the roster currently. Kwamie Lassiter and Trenton Irwin, meanwhile, are on the practice squad. We may see either one of them elevated at various points over the next month or so.
Expand the Role of Chris Evans
With Mixon and Perine ahead of him on the depth chart, Evans has seen minimal action. Even as the primary kickoff returner, he has only actually returned a few of them. Given his receiving skills, perhaps he is given more of a role in the passing attack, while Chase is out.
*Note: After the writing of this article, it has been announced that the Bengals have worked out free agent WR’s Dede Westbrook, Dazz Newsome, Victor Bolden, and JaVon Payton.
