What Mario Alford's Usage Means for Cincinnati Bengals in 2015

Most years on most NFL teams, seventh-round picks don't provide an immediate impact. 

Cincinnati Bengals wideout Mario Alford might be a rare exception. 

Call it the perfect fit for both parties, something already ringing true after one preseason game. Alford, a speedster out of West Virginia, needed to land somewhere willing to let him shine on special teams and in certain base-offense packages.

Last year, Cincinnati watched as Andrew Hawkins played for the Cleveland Browns, the passing game imploded without tight end Tyler Eifert and Marvin Jones missed the entire season. The depth chart had no way to create separation or take the top off defenses.

Alford's arrival does both, and true to form, coach Marvin Lewis and the front office got him at a cost-effective value with pick No. 238 in this year's draft.

Expectations for Alford seemed tempered. He was a seventh-round pick after all, and one joining a depth chart featuring A.J. Green, Jones, Mohamed Sanu, return-specialist Brandon Tate and free agent and proven deep threat Denarius Moore.

Still, Alford made it clear before the team's preseason Week 1 showdown against the New York Giants he would get plenty of looks, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey:

The prediction proved true, and the usage points to how the team might use the rookie from here on out.

Alford wound up rushing once for 23 yards, catching one of his two targets for 13 yards, returning one kickoff for 21 yards and receiving two punts. 

The special teams contributions weren't a surprise. Alford ran a 4.43 40-yard-dash, 6.64 seconds in the three-cone drill and 4.07 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle at the NFL Scouting Combine. Over his career with the Mountaineers, Alford was one of the nation's most-feared returners and a gaudy per-catch monster:

YEAR	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	KR	YDS	TD
2013	27	552	20.4	2	11	229	0
2014	65	945	14.5	11	26	743	2

Some of the base-offense usage in the 23-10 win against the Giants was a tad more surprising.

Maybe it was the coaching staff testing Alford, or maybe it was a strong bit of foreshadowing.

Alford's lone catch came on a basic route, but the notable play of the night was an end around, as WVU captured: 

It's one thing to run this sort of play during the regular season with Sanu or other weapons, but it's a whole different animal to run it with Alford the speed demon, especially if it sets up like a return downfield. The same applies to various screens.

At least during exhibitions, it doesn't seem like Lewis and the staff will let Alford's talents go to wast on the sidelines. His former coach, Lonnie Galloway, put it best, per West Virginia Illustrated's Geoff Coyle.

“I saw him move a little bit last night. It’s about time," Galloway said. "It was good to see him make a play. They need to use him. He’s electric with the ball in his hands. Mario had a big reverse run last night, so it’s good that those guys are out there doing their thing.”

So long as Alford continues to show off great hands, run crisp and proper routes and display some of his patented special teams skill in live-game scenarios, he stands a good chance at making the final roster.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

Once there, the Bengals have a Hawkins-esque weapon on their hands, should the staff choose to use him in such a manner. He can run out of the slot deep to push the safety back, opening up others, or he can take quick designed plays and churn out yards after the catch.

Alford's contributions on specials teams would speak for itself. If he improves as a punt returner, he could end the team's reliance on cornerback Adam Jones, freeing him to start at his usual position. On kickoffs, Alford could pair with back Giovani Bernard and limit how banged up starters at other spots get.

Above all else, early usage shows the Bengals have a deeper wideout core than one year ago. Alford fills a situational usage capable of keeping the offense ticking. It's clear the staff has a plan in place for his skills, provided he executes well the rest of the way.

It's more than most seventh-round rookies can say, and more than most of the league can boast about its late-round rookies from another impressive draft class.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of August 18. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.