Six Wide Receivers Who The Bengals Could Draft On Day Two
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While the trenches are undeniably the Bengals’ biggest need in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cincinnati will be due for some help at wide receiver. It would be hard to imagine a world where the Bengals don’t exit day two of the draft without adding a receiver to replace Tyler Boyd.
Cincinnati has a good history of drafting receivers in round two. Boyd, Chad Johnson, Tee Higgins, Carl Pickens, and Darnay Scott are among the wideouts that have been drafted in round two.
Which player in this deep receiver class could be added to that list? Let’s examine three in each of the rounds on day two!
ROUND TWO:
Roman Wilson, Michigan
Roman Wilson is an athletic freak with sub-4.4 speed. He’s a tough, explosive player who can contribute as both a wide receiver and a special teams gadget. He’s an impeccable possession receiver who has a very strong catch radius. Even though he will have limited contributions as a blocker, he makes up for it with strong route running and by being a major contributor in the short and intermediate levels of the field.
Michigan WR Roman Wilson could see his name called sooner than expected. He’s a sure-handed WR with under 4.4 speed who can line up anywhere while posting a 20% target share in 2023. pic.twitter.com/d32VU8KsCk
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) April 21, 2024
Ricky Pearsall, Florida
In a draft rich with slot receivers, Pearsall is another potential day two steal. He’s quick, agile and a possession receiver who can make highlight-reel catches.
https://x.com/TheOGfantasy/status/1782411893438574707
He also is a solid playmaker and technician as a route runner (sometimes to a fault) who thrives in both intermediate routes and as a deep threat. As a slot receiver, he was also extremely versatile and capable of creating separation. He ended 2023 with 65 receptions, 965 yards, and four touchdowns.
Xavier Legette, South Carolina
The South Carolina product has been compared to, on multiple occasions, Seattle WR DK Metcalf. He’s an incredibly physical and big bodied receiver with elite top line speed.
1st: inside, Xavier Leggette shows off his absurd athleticism, leaping and hanging in the air to bring in the deep shot.
2nd: recalling that earlier play, defense honed in on XL flying off LOS selling vertical (Rattler w/ eye manipulation 👍🏻), resulting in a wide open receiver. pic.twitter.com/reWzVoV1JF
— Ricky Raines (@rickyboboddy) April 20, 2024
However, his production was limited in college (save for his final season) and he didn’t run overly complex routes. He makes up for it with a great combination of burst, strong hands, and an ability to make plays from anywhere on the field.
ROUND THREE:
Javon Baker, UCF
Javon Baker is a unique deep threat. Even though he isn’t necessarily the fastest receiver (a common trait among deep threats), he does have decent quickness. Where he thrives as a deep ball guy, however, is his ability to bring the ball down.
Top 10 Javon Baker Catches
Which would you rank #1? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sAtkvDIpoK
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 22, 2024
He is a bit of a project and doesn’t pop off the charts as the most exciting player. However, with his reliable ability to bring the ball down, he can easily build a rapport with Joe Burrow, who has an underrated ability to throw it downfield.
Jalen McMillan, Washington
In the possible event of a Tyler Boyd departure, McMillan could slide right in his place. He’s a heavily reliable slot receiver who is slightly smaller than Boyd, but makes up for it with impeccable agility, awareness and route running. He was in a potent Washington offense with Michael Penix Jr. under center, and Rome Odunze and Ja’Lynn Polk on the outside. Despite missing two months due to a knee injury, he still put up 45 receptions, 556 yards, and 5 TDs in 2023.
Jalen McMillan’s release is legit pic.twitter.com/nKWP9DKzcN
— Lando Scott (@LandosHotTakes) April 20, 2024
Malik Washington, Virginia
Malik Washington is a smaller receiver. However, he is both explosive as a yards-after-catch receiver and phenomenal at bringing the ball down, even in contested catch situations.
Put some respect on Malik Washington🗣@UVAFootball pic.twitter.com/NZkuD9C847
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 17, 2024
He had a record setting 2023, logging 110 catches, 1,426 yards, and nine touchdowns. He joined Amari Cooper, Justin Jefferson, and DeVonta Smith as the only college receivers in the last ten years to eclipse 110 receptions and 1,426 yards. His skillset and accolades earned him strong praise from current analyst and former player Kurt Benkert.
Malik Washington out of UVA has Amon Ra St Brown type of ability in the slot.
It’s a loaded receiver class BUT his style of play translates DAY 1 in a west coast scheme.
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) April 17, 2024
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