Bengals: Five soon-to-be free agents likely to walk this offseason

Bengals free agents likely to walk: WR John Ross

Out of every player set to be a free-agent in Cincinnati, or perhaps even league-wide, there is no candidate with a greater chance to land with a different team than wide receiver John Ross. After beginning the season as the team’s number three wideout, he was booted from the lineup entirely, and he hasn’t seen playing time since.

The former Washington standout was selected ninth overall in the 2016 draft to a Bengals team that was getting its first taste of missing the playoffs in quite some time. After a string of postseason appearances, the roster was still viewed as fully capable of making a push, and Ross was seen as the missing puzzle piece to put the club over the top, ending the dreadful playoff drought.

A speedster wide receiver expected to take the pressure off of a prime A.J. Green and open up the offense, the combine superstar never panned out in the Queen City. Through four seasons, the talented pass-catcher has only amassed 733 receiving yards, hardly what you expect from a top-10 pick. For comparison’s sake, rookie Tee Higgins, a second-round selection, has already reeled in 673 receiving yards in his opening act.

Although Ross did nab an impressive seven touchdowns in his sophomore campaign, he’s proven far too inconsistent to be brought back. A habit of dropping passes and coming away with injuries seals the deal.

Ross will get another opportunity elsewhere and perhaps then he can show the promise he flashed during his collegiate days and, at times, with the Bengals.