Bengals ignored WR in the draft but added solid UDFA options
The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2022 NFL Draft with arguably the best wide receiver trio in the league. Behind that trio, however, the team is pretty thin at depth and it was surprising not to see them spend one of their six picks on a wideout.
Instead, the stripes spent five of their six selections on defensive players, adding three secondary players and two defensive linemen with the lone selection on offense being spent on an offensive lineman.
After the draft wrapped up, Cincinnati got to work with signing UDFAs, short for undrafted free agents.
Two UDFAs that the Bengals signed were wide receivers and have a shot at making the team and contributing in 2022 and beyond.
Bengals could have used WR in draft but added promising UDFAs
The two UDFA wide receivers joining the stripes are Jaivon Heiligh of Coastal Carolina and Kwamie Lassiter of Kansas.
The #Bengals are signing Coastal Carolina WR Jaivon Heiligh, per source. Heiligh recorded 66 receptions for 1,128 yards and 7 TDs this past season.#NFLDraft | @TheDraftNetwork
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 30, 2022
Kansas WR Kwamie Lassiter II is signing with the Bengals, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 30, 2022
Heiligh had 66 receptions for 1,128 yards and seven touchdowns through 13 games with the Chanticleers. The year before he had 998 yards and 10 touchdowns. He played for a smaller school but that shouldn’t deter anyone from giving him a shot in the pros. Coastal Carolina is a powerhouse too, so their players deserve to show what they can do at the professional level.
Lassiter came from the opposite situation, playing for a bad Kansas team. He made the most out of a bad situation though, racking up 59 receptions for 653 yards and three touchdowns. That’s pretty good considering just how bad the Jayhawk quarterbacks were during Lassiter’s time in Lawrence.
I’ll be excited to see what these two receivers can accomplish this summer and maybe one, if not both, can make the final roster.
As noted, the depth behind Chase, Boyd, and Higgins is pretty thin, so with an impressive training camp and preseason, Heiligh and Lassiter have a chance to stick with the Bengals in 2022.
Next. Worst Draft Picks in Bengals History. dark
Wide receiver depth was a need and while the Bengals didn’t address it in the draft, they got some solid options in free agency following the draft.