Dane Sanzenbacher is the Bengals Dark Horse

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher (11) dives in for a touchdown against Kansas City Chiefs safety Jerron McMillian (34) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cincinnati Bengals added Dane Sanzenbacher to their roster in 2012, many thought he was only going to be a special teams contributor and not much more. Last year, he only saw 8 targets for 6 receptions and 61 yards, but with Andrew Hawkins now in Cleveland, he has the opportunity for more.

Sanzenbacher is an Ohio native from the Toledo area. He went to Ohio State and received First Team Big Ten, Team MVP, Team’s Most Inspirational Player Honors in 2010. He went undrafted but was picked up by the Chicago Bears in 2011 and was released on December 24^th of 2012.

The Bengals wasted no time as they brought Dane back home for Christmas signing him the next day. He appeared in 10 games last year for the Bengals and was signed to a tender deal in April of this year.

Sanzenbacher looked great in the first preseason catching a couple passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. He finished second in receiving against the Kansas City Chiefs behind the Bengals top wide receiver AJ Green. He looked solid in an offense that had some questions coming into training camp.

I can’t say that he will be the answer or that he will be catapulted to be an every down player, but he is on pace to make a positive difference and I hope to see him lined up with AJ Green and Marvin Jones this season.