NFL Rumors: Bengals Will Pay for Failing to Sign a Star Receiver in Free Agency

Despite plenty of cap space this offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have failed to land a high-impact receiver to pair up with A.J. Green.

It figures to burn them next season.

Head coach Marvin Lewis hinted that the Bengals may address the position with one of their two first-round draft picks this year.

Lewis said during Tuesday's AFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings, via Cincinnati.com:

"

We feel better about it in house than people know. We have the draft. There’s still some other ways we are looking at. Still a lot of things in play.

"

The Bengals have the 17th and 21st overall selections in this year's draft. In that respect, they could draft someone like Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, Baylor's Kendall Wright or Rutgers' Mohamed Sanu.

However, while all of these prospects are intriguing, I don't like the strategy the Bengals have employed here.

In fact, I don't think the Bengals are giving themselves enough credit.

You build through the draft when you still have a ways to go before you are a legitimate playoff contender. The Bengals are already a playoff contender—with another top receiver they'd be a very intriguing postseason team.

The Bengals are missing out on an opportunity to add a difference-maker that could help push them over the top.

Just look at what the San Francisco 49ers did this offseason after a breakout campaign in 2011-2012. They went out and signed Mario Manningham and Randy Moss. Even if Moss turns out to be a flop, Manningham is a legit option who significantly changes their receiving corps.

The 49ers were in the same position as the Bengals before last season. They were bottom-dwellers with no hope in sight.

However, both teams rose last season. The difference is, the 49ers are taking it to the next level, while the Bengals are actually delaying their ascension.

Building through the draft is the right move in most cases, but the young Bengals are on the verge of something big and they should be going after a proven weapon at this point.

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