05-10-2021, 12:49 PM
(05-10-2021, 12:34 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Last off season I spent a lot of time arguing with the people who claimed Auden Tate could be one of our top 3 WRs. He had one of the worst catch % in the entire league and I felt he put up some decent numbers just because there was no one else to throw the ball too in 2019. This seemed to be proven in 2020 when he was behind Michael Thomas on the depth chart and was often not even on the active roster on gameday.
This off season I have spent a lot of time talking about what a great drop off in talent their is after our top 3 WRs.
But when I step back and look at Tate as a #4 WR I realize he would probably be serviceable. I still think we may add a veteran who gets release by another team. Maybe even at the very end of training camp. But if we don't I won't complain too much about Tate as our #4.
I like Auden Tate as a Bengal, however....
I think Tate is more of a situational weapon based on down, distance, & field position than he is a consistent 4th option. I think Michael Thomas, who needs to clean some things up, makes for a better 4th WR than Tate due to his physical tools being suited to play any WR spot in the offense.
I'm also intrigued by young guys like Scotty Washington (he has some long speed with a 40 time in the low 4.5s, where Tate ran 4.68). Interested in seeing his development. He is also a huge target at 6'5" 220lbs or so.
How I see it on today's date...
- The Bengals 3 for 11 personnel would be the obvious: Boyd, Higgins, Chase
- 4 Wide: Boyd, Higgins, Chase, Thomas
- 5 Wide: Boyd, Higgins, Chase, Thomas, Tate
^ Washington may sneak in there.
Side notes:
- Could Mixon flex/motion into a slot or outside WR role on certain plays to become WR #4 or 5?
- Same for the rookie RB from UM, Evans. He could also make for a really interesting weapon at WR as well. Obviously that wouldn't be on a regular basis, but as Burrow changes plays based on what the defense is doing, I could see Mixon or Evans being put out as WRs based on play changes presnap.
