2010 NFL Draft: Should the Bengals Take a Wide Receiver in the First Round?

Point: Yes, Ochocinco won't be around forever.

Counterpoint: They have bigger needs and can pick up free agent help.

P: Are you referring to guys like Matt Jones?

CP: He is a start.  Signing a proven wide receiver to a one-year deal means they can address this next year.

P:  Jones is proven?

CP: He alone is not the answer to the WR problem.  However, Jones is definitely a step in the right direction.

P: They have two receivers (Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson) with limited or no success in the NFL.  They have another receiver (Coles) who is clearly on the downside of his career.  Then they have one more (Cosby) who is not likely to be anything more than a returner and role player.  They are really thin.

CP: Caldwell has shown nice development.  He will be fine as a starter going into his third year.  I could see a breakout year for him.  I also expect Simpson to step up.   Jones will be a big target for Carson Palmer on third down.

P: I like the signing of Jones but he hasn't played in the NFL in over a season, and he will have to adjust to a new team and a new playbook.

CP: He has never played with a quarterback as good as Palmer.

P: David Garrard is not bad.  Now there are reports that the Bengals signed Jones after a horrible workout.

CP: That is a concern.  What about Terrell Owens?

P: Another guy on the downside of his career.  He has also been known to kill teams and has alligator arms.

CP: Those are concerns but I think the days of him being the locker room cancer are over.  Ochocinco wants him in stripes so much, he will take a pay cut to make it happen.

P: Whatever.  None of these guys is a deep threat.  How many possession receivers who move the chains does the roster need?

CP: They won't need a deep threat.  If they lined up with Ochocinco, Caldwell, TO, and Matt Jones, that would be tough to defend.  Newsflash: the Bengals are a running team.

P: So if the Bengals signed Jones (done deal) and Owens to one-year deals and have Ochocinco on the last year of his deal, what will they do in 2011?  Wide receivers can take time to develop.

CP: These are valid points but they have greater needs at other positions.

P: It sounds like you would be looking at Caldwell and two rookies in 2011.

CP: It won't be that bad.  Another guy out there is Torry Holt.  He is smart and does not drop balls like Coles.

P: I hear you.  If Dez Bryant dropped into their laps, they would pull the trigger.

CP: Bryant will go in the top 10 for sure.  Look for the first-round draft pick to be a defensive lineman.

P: We'll see.