Bengals Training Camp Preview: WR
1. Ja’Marr Chase
5. Tee Higgins
81. Jermaine Burton
80. Andrei Iosivas
16. Trenton Irwin
15. Charlie Jones
19. Kendric Pryor
12. Shedrick Jackson
18. Kwamie Lassiter
17. Cole Burgess
86. Tre Mosley
Since being drafted in 2021, Ja’Marr Chase has blossomed into one of the league’s top WR’s. He has been the team’s number 1 WR since day one, and will continue to operate as the offence’s top target. No need to go much further than that.
Tee Higgins, meanwhile, will likely be returning as the starter opposite of Chase. I say likely because of the whole contract situation, with him currently on the franchise tag. As most Bengals fans know, the front office almost certainly won’t trade him this year, but I suppose you can’t rule anything out 100%. But as long as there are no mega surprises, Higgins will once again be a big part of the team’s passing attack.
Number three on the depth chart is where we will see a big change this season. Long time Bengal Tyler Boyd has departed, and left a hole to fill in the slot. Rookie 3rd rounder Jermaine Burton figures to be a big part of that. TE Mike Gesicki does too, but we’ll talk more about him in the next article. As for Burton, he offers a more dynamic skill set, more the Bengals offence has been missing for some time. His ability to play on the boundary or in the slot is also beneficial.
Andrei Iosivas will have to earn the fourth spot on the depth chart, but he seems poised to take it. He made some nice plays in spot duty last year, and word from his trainers is that he has been putting in a boatload of work this offseason. If he performs as we hope/expect, he should take the fourth spot. In terms of playing time, he should rotate in. The thing with Iosivas is that he is exclusively a boundary receiver. On plays with him on the field, it could give the Bengals a chance to kick Chase inside to the slot, which would add a nice wrinkle to the offence.
As mentioned, Iosivas will not get that fourth spot uncontested. Trenton Irwin has been the fourth receiver for the last little while, and has made a few splash plays of his own. Iosivas is a bit more dynamic, while Irwin is reliable, but unspectacular. In a perfect world, Iosivas gets the spot. If he isn’t quite up to the challenge yet, Irwin does give them a safety net.
Charlie Jones may also figure into the battle. Some have even speculated as to his chances of snagging the starting spot in the slot. I don’t think that is likely, however. Going back to college, he hasn’t played a lot out of the slot. Further, while he has some speed, I wouldn’t say he is overly dynamic or quick. A surprise showing could change things, but Jones seems poised to be the WR6. As the primary punt returner last season, it would be a bit of a surprise if he is cut outright.
With the top 6 spots being more so about the order, rather than who makes it, there may or may not be one more spot on the roster for the rest to battle for. If someone impresses, they could keep 7. If not, they could go with 6, plus two or three on the practice squad.
Kendric Pryor is probably my favourite of the fringe receivers. He is a bit of a forgotten name around here right now. After signing as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and having a great preseason, Pryor was claimed off waivers by the Jaguars, which prevented the Bengals from stashing him on the practice squad. He’ll have to earn it again this offseason, but having seen each of Pryor, Jackson, and Lassiter in preseason action, Pryor has left the best impression.
Shedrick Jackson is an interesting player. He padded the stats in last year’s preseason after some coverage busts. Based on last season, he still seems to lack polish. But he is a speedster. With the right improvements over the offseason, there is a chance he becomes an asset.
Kwamie Lassiter has more polish than Jackson, but isn’t nearly as dynamic. He has turned in some solid preseasons in each of the last couple of seasons, but his ceiling may not be super high. I think he is fighting for a practice squad spot once again this offseason.
Undrafted rookies Cole Burgess and Tre Mosley round out the group. Burgess had some love before the draft, and brings some quickness to the receiving unit. It will be an uphill battle, but he is an underdog to watch. Mosley isn’t quite as dynamic, and will have his work cut out for him.
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