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Cincinnati Bengals: 3 Keys to the Offseason

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Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fans cheer against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Finding Another Weapon

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) reaches for the end zone during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) reaches for the end zone during the third quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /

With Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Brandon Tate entering free agency this offseason, the Bengals will only have one wide receiver on the roster that took snaps last season that isn’t named AJ Green. With higher priorities than Jones this offseason, it is likely he tests the water in free agency and gets overpaid by a team desperate for a receiver. As bad as they need a second option, it would be in the Bengals best interest to let Jones walk. If they do, they will have a few options to pursue.

The wide receiver draft class is weaker than it has been the past two years, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t talent to be found. Although it is unlikely Cincinnati takes a pass catcher on day one, there are a couple of options that could be there on days two and three that would make an impact in the Bengals offense. A couple of guys that could come off the board and fall into the Bengals hands are Rashard Higgins of Colorado State, Sterling Shepard of Oklahoma, and De’Runnya Wilson of Mississippi State. If they do opt to pick a receiver on day one, Ohio native and former Buckeye Braxton Miller will definitely be an interesting option.

More from Bengals Free Agency

Free agency is another route the Bengals could go to fill the potential void of Jones and Sanu. Although there isn’t a surplus of talent in the pool of free agents, there are a couple of names that could make an impact at a bargain price. Starting with Jermaine Kearse of the Seattle Seahawks, who recorded career numbers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last season and just turned 26 earlier this month. Kearse would be a good fit in a system where AJ Green demands most of the attention. One other option the Bengals could turn to is the veteran Malcom Floyd, which would give the locker room some veteran leadership as well as provide Andy Dalton with a big, red zone target.

Next: Cornerback

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