07-21-2017, 02:45 PM
(07-21-2017, 10:29 AM)PV Bengal Wrote: We've got to remember that (1) Boyd was a rookie last year; (2) Ross was probably the best player available when we picked him; and (3) you can't coach speed.
IMHO, Boyd did fine in his first year and you need depth. Had they not re-upped LaFell, they would need to start Ross immediately in 3 WR sets.
During the draft process, it was well known that the Bengals were looking hard at the top three WR prospects and it eventually leaked that Ross was their guy before the draft. He may also have been the bpa on their board, but it wasn't a situation like Eifert or WJ3 where a guy fell further than expected and the Bengals nabbed him.
The year before, they were looking hard at speedsters Coleman and Fuller, and settled for Boyd in the 2nd because they desperately needed a #3 despite the fact Boyd didn't possess the deep speed they wanted.
Since Arians has taken over at OC, it's pretty obvious through the team's drafting that he doesn't feel the team has enough speed at the skill positions. There was nobody that can make a guy miss and take a short throw to the house. They need a guy on the outside opposite AJ that will affect the other S and force them to cover Eifert, Gio, and Mixon with LB's. They need a guy in the slot that the slot CB fears enough to give cushion to knowing he won't have help behind him. Boyd is none of that.