Key Stat Shows How Important Having Three Quality Starting Receivers are in Zac Taylor's Offense
CINCINNATI — There are some fans and analysts that don't believe wide receiver should be high on the Bengals' list of needs going into the draft. Those people are wrong.
With A.J. Green, John Ross and Alex Erickson on new teams, it's easy to see why Cincinnati will likely take two wide-outs in the NFL Draft later this month.
One of them could be LSU star Ja'Marr Chase. If the Bengals take him with the fifth pick, it would give them a fantastic trio that includes Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
ESPN analyst Mike Clay made a good point when it came to potentially drafting Chase with the fifth pick.
"If you're wondering why the Bengals (who have Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd) could draft a wide receiver at pick five, keep in mind that they had a third wide receiver on the field on 82% of their offensive plays in 2020 (second highest in the NFL)," Clay tweeted.
Right now Auden Tate and/or Mike Thomas would get those snaps.
In a draft that is much more shallow at receiver for what the Bengals are looking for—a starting "X" receiver—Chase would make a ton of sense.
They may ultimately take Penei Sewell, but the moment they do—wide receiver could leap offensive line as the biggest need on the roster.
Both Sewell and Chase would make life easier on Joe Burrow—and that should be the priority.
Don't let anyone downplay the need at receiver. Boyd and Higgins have the potential to be great, but Burrow needs at least one more starting option.
The Bengals have to draft multiple offensive linemen. They should also take at least two receivers.
They have eight total picks. The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 29 at 8 p.m. ET.
For the latest free agency news and NFL Draft coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below.
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