Over the last five seasons, 21 rookie wide receivers had at least 50 receptions in their first season. Only six of those receivers were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.
LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been touted as the best wide receiver in this year’s class, and he has the potential to be the best route runner and the best deep threat in this year’s draft. But if the Bengals pass on Chase and select an offensive lineman in the first round, they’ll have other opportunities to find a starting wide receiver in the second and third rounds.
After speaking with over 20 coaches, scouts and evaluators, this year’s draft is deep with slot receivers and also includes a few outside threats that could fall to the Bengals in the second and third rounds.
Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU
In this range of the draft, Marshall has the best combination of size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.38 40-yard dash). Marshall is only about 1.5 inches shorter than Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate, and his 40 time is one-tenth of a second faster than Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. A former high school sprinter, Marshall has the tools to be a standout deep threat.
Marshall’s size, speed and hands give him a big route tree, including crossing routes that got him the ball in space, screens and deep routes. He’s very physical, both in making contested catches, getting yards after the catch and blocking in the run game.
His ability to get yards after catch will also be a factor. On a few plays this season, Marshall created a few yards of separation in the second after he caught the ball. His routes are very crisp, and over the last year he focused on honing that skill, which often leads to a quick transition in the NFL.
Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Minnesota used Bateman in many different ways during his career, but he was at his best in 2019 as an outside receiver who made athletic, acrobatic catches outside the numbers. Bateman’s combination of body control and hands are his strength. When in doubt, the Golden Gophers threw the ball up to Bateman.
Bateman ran an above average 40-yard dash for a wide receiver and can take the top off the defense and create plays off screens. Every offense he has been a part of, regardless of the quarterback, found ways to get him the ball.
Bateman has always been a physical receiver, but he got stronger during college so he could make even more plays outside the numbers. A few of his biggest plays at Minnesota came off RPO slants across the middle, and Bateman consistently made contested catches on those plays.
Kadarius Toney, Florida
Toney has one of the better combinations in this class of shiftiness and physicality as he breaks tackles. A high school quarterback, he reads the defense after catching the ball and finds the best path for the most yards.
A source said Toney can “create something on a play where nothing is there.”
His awareness and athleticism make him a potential first round pick, and Toney will play in the slot early in his career. One evaluator said offenses will be best suited to get Toney the ball on quick plays and let him make people miss for yards after the catch.
Dyami Brown, North Carolina
Coming out of high school, Brown had so much agility that a few colleges were interested in moving Brown to cornerback. But his speed, route running ability and hands turned him into one of the most athletic receivers in college football.
While he has run the entire route tree, Brown’s speed will translate most quickly to the NFL. He’s best at making a quick move at the start of his route to create separation and turning up the field wide open.
Even though he’s 6-foot, Brown’s ability to get open at the line of scrimmage should allow him to play both outside the numbers and in the slot. He can match up with a corner and get open with a one-on-one move, and Brown can also match up with a nickel corner or a safety and beat them down the field. He’s capable of lining up in the backfield and making defenders miss.
For a wide-zone run team like the Bengals, Brown could excel at running the post route down the field on a play-action pass.
Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
Wallace unlocked Oklahoma State’s offense with his ability to be a deep threat and a playmaker out of the backfield. The offense was centered around his ability to make long catches and long runs, and Wallace delivered.
A source compared Wallace’s approach as a receiver to an MLB pitcher. He leans on “off-speed pitches” (screens, crossing routes) early in the count for short pickups. Then on big plays, he comes through with his “fastball” and burns the cornerback on a deep route. While he’ll likely play in the slot early in his career, Wallace also has great leaping ability and can make contested catches in the air.
He was also one of the most physical run-blocking receivers in college football. Many believe that a recent college football rule change was a response to how hard Wallace would hit opposing defenders on run plays.
Rondale Moore, Purdue
Outside the first round, Moore is considered to be the best player in this class at creating yards after the catch. An explosive playmaker and a standout kick returner, Moore could make defenders miss as well as anyone in college football last season.
He has been labeled a “gadget player” by some, but Moore’s elusiveness and route running skills make him a potential starter. Those skills make Moore a matchup problem.
A source said Moore’s strength is his most underrated attribute, and Moore plays bigger than his 5-foot-7 frame.
Amon Ra St. Brown, USC
One evaluator said St. Brown could be best suited starting off in the slot and moving to outside receiver as he continues to develop. In a vertical passing scheme, St. Brown excelled at making contested catches over the middle on slants and crossing routes. On third downs, USC often went to Brown to make the contested catch.
While his 40-yard dash time wasn’t in the top tier, St. Brown’s hands and competitiveness made him one of the most reliable receivers in the Pac 12. He’s one of the bigger, more physical receivers in this range of the draft.
St. Brown is bi-lingual and is fluent in German. At football camps, St. Brown often received feedback from his father in German.
Amari Rodgers, Clemson
A longtime evaluator said Rodgers will be the “ideal slot receiver.” While the Bengals have used Tyler Boyd most often in the slot, there’s an opportunity for a receiver like Rodgers when Cincinnati uses four and five wide receiver sets.
He has great hands and standout speed. Rodgers is the type of receiver who can motion into the backfield and take a few carries, and he also averaged 13.2 yards per catch last year at Clemson.
Likely off the board: Jaylen Waddle, Elijah Moore
More potential targets: Nico Collins, D’Wayne Eskridge, Tutu Atwell
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