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4 Players that could Sneak into being the Bengals 2nd Round Pick

By Hunter Bittinger

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball in for a touchdown in front of quarterback Sawyer Smith #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs the ball in for a touchdown in front of quarterback Sawyer Smith #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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811. . Wide Receiver. Wolverines . Donovan Peoples-Jones. 2. player

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines returns a punt during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Donovan Peoples-Jones #9 of the Michigan Wolverines returns a punt during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Much like the previously mentioned Willie Gay Jr., Donovan Peoples-Jones is an athletic marvel in his own right. He entered the college ranks oozing with potential as a 5-star recruit, ranking as the best wide receiver prospect in the nation and a top-15 player overall by most recruiting services.

Unfortunately, due to the sub-par quarterback talent he got to work with and an offensive system that isn’t known for its air attack, he never got to really prove what he could do production-wise. In his best season, he caught 47 passes for 612 yards and 8 touchdowns. While those stats aren’t eye-popping, they’re still pretty good considering the circumstances.

While he didn’t stuff the stat sheet in college, he did put on an absolute show at the combine, testing in the 99th percentile in several events. He’s got the size (6’2, 210 lbs.) and speed (4.48) to be a number one receiver, he just needs to put it all together. Put the former Michigan wideout in an NFL offense that throws the ball 35+ times a game, and he’s going to put up numbers.

The Bengals have plenty of wide receiver talent on their roster. However, A.J. Green is aging and only under a one-year franchise tag as things stand. If the Bengals are looking to get a prospect in the pipeline to eventually take over that number one outside receiver role, Peoples-Jones could be their guy.