Cincinnati Bengals get undrafted gem in WR Stanley Morgan Jr.

The Cincinnati Bengals got an undrafted steal when they signed former Nebraska wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. How can he factor in?

The award for ‘least talked about team in 2019’ goes to the Cincinnati Bengals, apparently.

The Bengals fired Marvin Lewis and made a pretty bold move to replace him by hiring Zac Taylor, who comes over from the Sean McVay coaching tree.

Taylor and the Bengals have been hard at work establishing their new system and in order to establish that system, they obviously need the right players in place.

One area the Bengals had to address this offseason was the offensive line, and they did that with their second consecutive first round pick by drafting Jonah Williams out of Alabama this year and obviously Billy Price out of Ohio State last year.

The Bengals aren’t necessarily hurting for skill position talent, but looking at their undrafted free agent signings this offseason, it’s clear they’ve secured a real gem in former Nebraska receiver Stanley Morgan Jr.

Morgan tested well at the 2019 Scouting Combine with a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, a 38.5-inch vertical jump, and a sub 6.9-second three-cone drill.

Couple his athletic measurables with the fact that Morgan left Lincoln as the Huskers’ all-time leader in receptions (189), receiving yards (2,747), and consecutive games with at least one reception (38) among other marks.

He was a team captain in 2018. He was named Nebraska’s offensive MVP in 2018 and has been productive since he stepped on campus in 2015.

So what gives?

I don’t know that there is really a great reason Morgan wasn’t drafted.

He is a strong route runner with after the catch ability, the ability to make plays in contested catch situations, excellent bulk at 6-0, 202 pounds, and above average (at worst) athleticism.

Morgan looked like a solid early day three pick at the worst, meaning he should have been taken in the fourth or fifth rounds. When the 2019 NFL Draft passed by without his name being called, I don’t think I’m alone in saying it was shocking he was able to choose his situation.

The Draft Network claimed Morgan is a receiver with ‘no true weaknesses’ even though his traits are not as outstanding as some other players.

The Bengals’ receiver depth chart has some clear openings and Morgan did well to take this particular opportunity. He has a chance to set himself apart over the course of the offseason but of all the undrafted players this year, he might have been the best pickup for any team in the league.