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NFL: BENGALS: Draft Preview: Wide Receiver

/noticias.info/ As the 2006 NFL Draft draws near, bengals.com is taking an in-depth look at the Bengals roster position by postion. With Cincinnati holding the 24th pick in the draft's first round, there appears to be a number of different directions the Bengals could go with their selection.

Despite the offseason signing of free agent safety Dexter Jackson and the return from injury of Madieu Williams, do the Bengals go defensive back in the first round? Or do they continue to beef up the defensive line to complement the addition of defensive tackle Sam Adams? Maybe secure a pass-catching tight end to bolster an already explosive offense? What about adding depth to the offensive line with the uncertainty of retaining some of the key members of the O-line past the '06 season?

Each day this week Geoff Hobson will break down a different position with a player-by-player analysis of the current Bengals roster along with a look at some of the top draft prospects at each position.

We continue today with the wide receiver position. Wednesday we will take a look at the offensive line.

INSIDE LOOK: BENGALS WIDE RECEIVERS

Jamall Broussard (2nd season, San Jose St., 5-9, 175; Turns 25 Aug. 19)
After two stints on the Bengals practice squad, wide receivers coach Hue Jackson says it’s time for Broussard to assert himself. The Bengals put heat on Broussard by signing guy a lot like him in free agency in Antonio Chatman and Jackson says Chatman has the edge because he’s done it in the league. But Jackson says he’s also going to let Broussard play outside this season so he can prove he's not just a slot guy, and he’d like to see Broussard prove he can consistently be physical. A bright, energetic guy always exciting to watch, Broussard is making moves in NFL Europe. But that league isn’t an indicator for training camps. A few years ago the Bengals cut Europe leading rusher Skip Hicks relatively early.

Antonio Chatman (4th season, 5-9, 183, Cincinnati; Turned 27 Feb. 12)
The Bengals didn’t sign this guy just because he went to Dorsey, Jackson’s high school in Los Angeles. Jackson loves Chatman’s athleticism and speed and believes he can challenge defenders on the outside as well as the slot. He also likes last season’s 49 catches in Hall of Famer Brett Favre’s offense, and the longest punt return in the NFL last season (85 yards) is attractive to a team that finished next to last in punt returns.

Chris Henry (2nd season, West Virginia, 6-4, 200; Turns 23 May 17)
Led all rookie wide receivers with six touchdown catches, but Jackson is more worried about his off-field problems that include a trial for felony charge and fine for marijuana possession. Looks likes he’ll avoid jail, but not an NFL suspension of what could be anywhere between one to four games.

“The first thing we have to do is make sure he contributes positively to society as well as the team,” Jackson said. “Then we’ll worry about the other stuff. But that’s the important thing.”

It’s hard to give up on a guy that runs go routes right by people, a rare skill that about 10 guys in the league have and the Bengals have two of them. Henry used it to make the longest catch in Bengals postseason history, but had to leave the game with a sprained knee after hauling in a 66-yarder. He didn’t have surgery and is expected to participate in some spring coaching sessions and be ready for training camp.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (6th season, Oregon St., 6-1, 197; Turns 29 Sept. 26)
If Reggie Wayne isn’t the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL, isn't this guy? Only a hand injury that knocked him out of two games prevented his first 1,000-yard season. Not a burner, but rather a student of the game with Phi Beta Kappa hands who always seems to find a crevice for the big catch. Dangerous in the slot, but also productive at both outside spots. How clutch? Five of his seven TDs came on third down, leading the AFC and tying Carolina’s Steve Smith and Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald for the NFL lead.

Chad Johnson (6th season, Oregon St., 6-1, 192; Turned 28 Jan. 9)
Can’t celebrate, but he can dance and sure can run as he bids for his fourth straight AFC receiving yardage title and first Bengals NFL title. His 97 catches for 1,432 yards would have been fifth and third, respectively, in the NFC, but Jackson thinks he can get to the top with more consistency at cutting down his drops and making moves after the catch. Jackson supposedly had a locker-room confrontation with Johnson in the last game (which has been denied), but Jackson says he loves Johnson's passion and emotion. Favorite stat: Johnson, averaging virtually five catches per game, has 379 career catches. At 152 shy of breaking Carl Pickens’ club record of 530, he should own it somewhere in the third quarter of Game 15 in ’07.

Tab Perry (2nd season, UCLA, 6-3, 220; Turned 24 Jan. 20)
After setting single-season team records for kick returns and kick return yardage in his rookie season, the coaches can’t wait to get him more reps at receiver with his size and 4.4 40-yard speed. Now they get him for all spring camps after he was able to attend only one last season because of UCLA’s graduation date. With Henry’s status in doubt, Perry will make a major push to be the No. 3 receiver, a role in mind even though the Bengals took him in the sixth round of the '05 draft.

P.K. Sam (2nd season, Florida St., 6-3, 210; Turned 23 Feb. 26)
Played two seasons in New England (last season on the practice squad) after the Pats took him in the fifth round in 2004 when he came out of college early. Played in just two NFL games, but the team is always looking for size at this spot.

Mike Warfield (Rookie, Duquesne, 6-1, 190; Turns 24 Oct. 30)
Finally getting shot at the NFL after his college career ended in 2004. While scoring 26 TDs over his last two seasons, the Dukes won the Sports Network I-AA Mid-Major National Championship and he was All-American in 2004.

Kelley Washington (4th season, Tennessee, 6-3, 216; Turns 27 Aug. 21)
Say what you want about “The Squirrel,” and the first-down sign, but when called upon last year in the AFC North clincher in Detroit, he responded with four catches for 48 yards and an 18-yard score that sent the Bengals on their way with a 10-0 lead. Came in to last season lighter and in great shape, and he didn’t sulk when Henry emerged early and he was inactive for 10 games, including the Wild Card game vs. Pittsburgh.

Everyone thought he was gone this season, but Henry’s problems make him more valuable than ever. If Henry misses the first month, Washington and Perry should stage quite a scrum for the No. 3 receiver.

DRAFT PROSPECTS: WIDE RECEIVERS


Hue Jackson
If the Bengals draft one, it’s going to be on the second day because they’re so stacked they can ignore the seductive slide. They’ll also grab a couple in college free agency, no doubt, as Jackson seeks some of the toughness that backup Kevin Walter took with him to Houston in restricted free agency. notas_de_prensa_archivo