Roster Battles - WR BENGALS 2012

Thank goodness the Bengals did not listen to my plea during the 2011 draft by passing on the LSU CB/KR Patrick Peterson. AJ Green has showed up and made plays since day 1. He is a blessing and will give this team a chance to move the ball every time he is on the field. He leads by example and is the type of player you can build a team around. We all know AJ needs a running mate. I believe Gresham can be a legit number 2 target for Dalton but a productive number 2 WR is a need. Who will step up and claim the number two receive role left wide open when Jerome Simpson signed with the Vikings?

WR Locks: AJ Green is a super start in the making. The Bengals let Caldwell and Simpson walk while leaving the opportunity wide open for a young gun to take advantage of this shot. The battle between last years kick return specialist Tate and former practice squad standout Armon Binns the local bearcat product seems to be the battle to watch. The late bloomer Binns seems the have the inside track but Tate is still running with the starters when he is practicing. I believe this spot will eventually belong to 3^rd round choice Mohamed Sanu after the bye week.   

The Favorite: I am assuming the Bengals keep 5 wide outs. I think that is a safe assumption and I have AJ, Tate, Binns and Sanu as locks. This leave one spot open and I have to go with AndrewHawkins. I think we all agree Hawkins posses the big play ability that the steady Shipley does not. The raw ability and upside of Marvin Jones will make this all very interesting. Even though I think Binns has a better chance clearing waivers than Marvin Jones. I think Binns will get the nod in the end.

Heart Breaker: Jordan Shipley is another fan favorite is returning form a career threatening injury. Players like Marvin Jones, Ryan Whalen, Vidal Hazelton and Justin Hilton hope to make Baby Hawk’s and Jordan’s time in the local spot light is short lived. This is by far one of the deepest positions on the roster with a ton of uncertainty. The risk is you place a raw talent on the practice squad like Jones and he gets scooped up by another NFL team and becomes a legit NFL receiver.  

Long Shots: I am going to go with a small school product from Indiana State Justin Hilton. I have not seen a ton of footage during camp but what I did see from what I watched in Hilton was the kid  making tough catches and getting separation. This would be a shock for most fans but I think we all know that this team does not play favorites. They are looking to field the best group of players possible. I am not saying 100% this will include Justin but he is the definition of a long shot.

I know keeping Tate and Hawkins will have some scratching their heads. I do not see Tate or Hawkins being cut or placed on the practice squad. Best case they keep 6 and Marvin Jones sticks. How do my fellow Bengals fanatics feel about my take on this hot topic? WHO DEY ladies and gents we are 3 days away from the 1^st preseason game!