The Bengals 2018 breakout player was Tyler Boyd who posted 76 catches and over 1000 yards during his 3rd season with the team.
In 2018, Bengals star receiver A.J. Green only played nine games due to a toe injury. Green is scheduled to be healthy and ready for training camp per Adam Schefter. But a healthy A.J. Green can be even more effective if Tyler Boyd can continue his good word at wide receiver.
If Boyd can repeat his 2018 success he can help elevate Green’s game. Green is versatile and will be lined up all over the field. Green and Boyd were the top targets for Andy Dalton, although they only played nine games together last season.
Boyd is the prototypical slot receiver and spent over 75 percent of his snaps there last year. His quickness and sharp route running suit him well for the role. His emergence last season helped alleviate some of the pressure on Green.
When Boyd and Green are stacked next to one another at the line of scrimmage, Boyd attracts the attention of two defenders, giving the seven-time Pro Bowler single coverage. Moving the former Georgia Bulldog all over the formation forces defenses to adapt their coverages and makes them uncomfortable.
Green has had other running-mates at receiver like Marvin Jones and Brandon LaFell among others. None of them offered the ability to control the intermediate and underneath levels in the passing game like Boyd does. This isn’t unlike the now former duo of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh.
Smith-Schuster feasted off single coverage thanks to Brown’s presence. Instead, Boyd helps single up Green, especially when lined up inside. This pair could wind up in the top five receiving duos by season’s end. Both receivers had their only 100+ yard games while they were both on the field.
The more Boyd produces and forces coverage his way, the easier it makes Green’s job regardless of alignment This will be a fun duo to watch week in and out for an entire season