4 Wide Receivers that could be Steals for the Cincinnati Bengals

After a historic free agency period, the Cincinnati Bengals have set themselves up to find great value at the wide receiver position. 

The Cincinnati Bengals are bound to draft Joe Burrow with the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.  Burrow will have no shortage of receiving options, as the Bengals have A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and Auden Tate as their corp. However, only Boyd and Tate are under contract past 2020.

This draft is historically deep at wide receiver, and the Bengals would be wise to select a future weapon to pair with Burrow. Who could the Cincinnati Bengals target in the middle rounds to solidify their receiving corp?

Denzel Mims – Baylor

At 6’3″ 207-pounds, Denzel Mims is a freak of nature. Coming out of Baylor, Mims had questions about his ability to create separation. Mims silenced those critics by dominating one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl and ran a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at this year’s combine.

After a stand-out performance at the combine, Mims earned a first-round grade from many draft analysts and teams. If he slips into the second round, the Bengals should sprint to the podium.

Michael Pittman Jr. – Southern California

Another monster receiver on the outside to pair with Green would be a nightmare to handle for opposing defensive backs. Michael Pittman Jr. stands at 6’4,” 223 pounds and runs a 4.52. While he does not have the blazing speed, Pittman Jr. uses his size to get away from defenders and high point the ball. Even with his frame, he has an incredible ability to adjust his body to make any grab.

A captain at USC, he could also come in and help forge the new culture that Zac Taylor plans to implement. Pittman Jr. has a mid-second or early third-round grade and could be available for the Bengals at pick 65.

Van Jefferson – Florida

Van Jefferson isn’t the flashiest of receivers but he has elite route-running ability. Jefferson wowed scouts as he roasted cornerbacks during the one-on-ones during the Senior Bowl practices. He performed so well that he was voted practice player of the week by the cornerbacks that attempted to defend him.

Jefferson will not wow you with his speed, but his agility and smooth routes make up for it. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Jefferson had a Jones fracture in his right foot that required surgery and Jefferson could not participate in the combine. A Day 2 selection is likely for Jefferson, but the injury could affect his stock.

Chase Claypool – Notre Dame

Is he a tight end or a receiver? That’s the question that the Bengals will have to determine leading up to the draft. After losing Tyler Eifert in free agency, Cincinnati needs a big-bodied receiver to make contested catches over the middle. Chase Claypool towers over defenders at 6’4″ 238 pounds. Oh and he runs a 4.42 40 yard dash. Talk about a mismatch.

Claypool was used primarily as an outside receiver at Notre Dame but many teams see his potential at tight end. He struggles with precise routes and doesn’t possess the quickness to at the line of scrimmage to beat press coverage. Claypool has been graded all over the middle rounds. If the Bengals select him, they better have a specific plan in place.

The 2020 receiving draft class could go down in history for its depth. Teams will have the ability to select a dependable player throughout the draft. Will the Cincinnati Bengals forge a new future or will they stick with the status quo at the receiving position?