Bengals: Combine will show WR position to good to pass on in second round

Thursday night in Indianapolis might show the Cincinnati Bengals that the wide receiver position is too good to pass on in the second round.

Thursday night at the 2020 NFL Combine could show that the wide receiver position may be too good to pass on in the second round. With an insanely deep class of pass catchers, the Cincinnati Bengals would be smart to take an extra-long look at a position maybe not entirely settled on.

Both Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor have made public statements that A.J. Green will be in a Bengals uniform in 2020. Granted, that is likely to be with Green playing under the franchise tag designation. It’s also something he’s not happy about. John Ross, who is more often injured than healthy, is a player fans love, but would have to acknowledge keeping him on the field is not something to count on.

This is the draft that the Bengals should go off-script. Drafting a receiver allows Cincinnati some maneuvering. While Green has said he’d play under the tag, to say that’s an absolute could be fool-hardy. Conversely, to make the wild assumption that Ross gets in a full season now or ever is also a reach.

The Bengals look to have a full sail and a lot of wind at their back. With Heisman winner Joe Burrow now an absolutely lock for wearing the stripes, making sure he has the offensive firepower around him is critical.

Most simply put, to build around assumptions and hope as far as both Green and Ross goes is a mistake. Even if both manage to contribute to a full season, a receivers class like the one in 2020 may not come around again any time soon. With their first pick in the second round, Cincinnati is all but assured a pass-catcher who can be a starter come opening day of the 2020 NFL season.