A.J. Green is out for the Cincinnati Bengals and will likely miss games, meaning the team has to find a way to replace the production of one of the NFL’s best.
It’s no easy task. Tyler Boyd will pitch in some. So will the running backs and tight ends.
But at wideout specifically — and one notable tight end — these are the guys with a big chance to capture the moment.
Cody Core
Core has become something of a running joke with Bengals fans because Marvin Lewis’ staff seemed to love the 2016 sixth-round pick.
The Ole Miss product has 30 career catches to his name on 59 targets. He’s a presence on special teams but has yet to show much in limited chances.
If Core can take advantage of better-than-expected reps this offseason, maybe Green’s injury will serve as the spark.
Josh Malone
On paper, Malone should have had a big breakout season last year when Green went down, right?
The 2017 fourth-round pick appeared to have an interesting blend of size and speed that would help him excel. Instead, he only appeared in nine games and caught one pass.
With a new coaching staff and Green likely out, it’s do-or-die time for Malone.
Alex Erickson
Erickson is a special teams stud coming off a great year as a returner.
Even better: Erickson has been largely consistent when asked to help the base offense. He’s caught 38 of 53 career targets over three seasons and hasn’t missed a game.
Maybe Erickson doesn’t have the explosive upside of some of these other guys but the offense will probably be comfortable with him getting on the field more.
Auden Tate
Big hype chased Tate into his rookie year after going undrafted a season ago.
In large part, this is because Tate used his big 6’5″ frame to bully defenders in mismatch scenarios during camp and the preseason.
Viewed as a situational player in Taylor’s offense, Tate now has a better chance to prove he can help all over the field.
Drew Sample
We know Tyler Eifert and C.J. Uzomah can contribute at tight end.
We don’t know about Sample.
The Bengals were adamant Sample has big upside as a receiver when they drafted him earlier than most seemed to expect he’d come off the board. Taylor and his staff have also insisted they don’t have anything like him on the roster from a schematic sense.
If that’s the case, perhaps Sample can have a bigger-than-expected role right out of the gates as the offense looks to spread it out.
