10 hours ago
(10 hours ago)ochocincos Wrote: I get what you are saying, but I don't feel Iosivas is in the same consideration as Auden Tate/Alex Erickson in 2019.
In 2024, the Bengals did not have their #1 WR miss the entire year nor their #2 WR miss even half the year.
Chase played the entire year.
Higgins played 12 games.
Gesicki (the team's real 3rd option) played the entire year.
So Iosivas was only ever 3rd on the pecking order at best.
Look, I'm not trying to sit here and say Iosivas is worthy of being starting 2nd option in an offense.
I'm not even saying great in the slot role.
What I am saying is I think he's ok (not good) and his skill set may be better used outside rather than as a slot receiver. I thought they mainly just put him inside because he happened to be the 3rd best option they had and they needed a slot to replace Boyd, so he got selected for that.
All I was getting at with the lower YPR for slot receivers is how they are used typically leads to fewer yards compared to their outside WR counterparts, especially if they are 3rd/4th in the pecking order.
I'm willing to give Iosivas this 3rd season (typically when guys usually show they can hack it or not) before looking to replace him on the roster.
I think he, right now, is a perfectly fine WR4-WR5. He has excellent traits. Is smart. And works hard. And is a willing blocker. But as a track guy who started football a bit late and coming from an Ivy league school, he was always gonna be a bit of a project.
10 TD's in 2 years with Chase/Higgins ahead of him both years and Boyd/Gesicki as well is pretty impressive. I do not think he is particularly suited to the slot, however. All our WRs were outside guys primarily, even Jones. Well, save for Gesicki. Chase & Sizzle can do it some. Williams if he makes the team. I'd have loved Tez Johnson late in the draft. But I get we had bigger problems.
I would not be looking to replace Yoshi anytime soon. Jones/Burton/Williams are where the upgrades need to come. A true slot guy would help.
