2021 NFL Draft: Teams that should consider wide receiver early

Cincinnati Bengals

The goal for the Cincinnati Bengals is to put as many pieces as possible around Joe Burrow to turn the Bengals into a winner while he’s on a rookie contract. The Bengals have to upgrade a few major positions during the draft in order to make progress towards that goal. But one position that the Bengals could use another starter at is wide receiver.

Even though one of the greatest Bengals in the history of the franchise A.J. Green has left the team is in solid shape at receiver. Bengals 2020 second-round pick Tee Higgins should assume Green’s role in the offense as the primary outside receiver while Tyler Boyd maintains his role as the team’s second option in the slot. Former seventh-round pick Auden Tate was solid during the 2019-20 season when he had a major role in the offense. Tate had 40 catches and 575 yards. But Cincinnati should bring in some competition for Tate for that third receiver role.

Bringing in competition from the 2021 NFL Draft will ensure that Cincinnati is putting the best playmakers they can get out on the field for Burrow. It was reported earlier this offseason that the Bengals did their homework on potentially signing Kenny Golladay before he was signed by the Giants.

A Wide Receiver option for the Cincinnati Bengals from the 2021 NFL Draft:

• Draft Dazz Newsome (North Carolina) with pick #112

Carolina Panthers

Even though the Carolina Panthers went 5-11 the first year under new head coach Matt Rhule could be deemed a success. The team showed despite rebuilding their team they could be competitive against better opponents. Carolina lost nine of their eleven losses by 8 points or less.

Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady really put his imprint in their offense. Multiple players had breakout seasons in Carolina. Two of those players signed contracts with different teams for larger roles. Mike Davis is atop the running back depth chart in Atlanta and Curtis Samuel is now the second option for the Washington Football Team’s passing offense.

Even though Curtis Samuel was considered the third option in the Panthers’ passing offense, he still played a major role for the team. Samuel lined up all over the field at outside receiver, slot, and even running back. Matt Rhule and Joe Brady found was to make Samuel a key part of the offense. Now that he is gone the Panthers have to fill that void.

The Panthers have more pressing needs than filling Samuels void at receiver. During the past two offseasons, Carolina has signed Robby Anderson, David Moore, and Dan Arnold to feature them in their offense. But Carolina should try to find a player in the 2021 NFL draft that replicates Samuel’s role in the offense as an offensive swiss army knife player. A player with that kind of versatility would have a major role in the Panthers’ offense in his first season.

A Wide Receiver option for the Carolina Panthers from the 2021 NFL Draft:

• Draft Demetric Felton (UCLA) with pick #114

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Houston Texans

Over the last couple of months, the Houston Texans have been in the headlines because of all of the headlines surrounding Deshaun Watson. While that has been going on the Texans have had a solid offseason. They may not have attracted any major free agents, but have brought in a lot of experienced veterans on short-term deals. It is fair to say that even though the Texans don’t have any elite position groups they have solid starters and/or depth at almost every position.

The Texans’ wide receiver depth chart is loaded with veterans, but they are lacking youth at the position. The only young receiver Houston has on their depth chart is slot receiver Keke Coutee, who has excelled when he’s had a large role in the offense.

Since Will Fuller has left in free agency the Texans could look for a vertical threat with homerun speed to replace him. But with the lack of draft capital Houston has they should take any player they can that could develop into a starter during the 2021 NFL Draft.

A Wide Receiver option for the Houston Texans from the 2021 NFL Draft:

• Draft Tamorrion Terry (Florida State) with pick #110

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It took a few weeks but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not disappoint and developed into one of the best offenses in the league under Tom Brady. Even though they won the Super Bowl Tampa Bay should keep their foot on the gas and add players to help win now. Since the Buccaneers have retained most of their major free agents they could just draft the best available players in each round.

One thing Tampa Bay must keep in mind is that Chris Godwin is only on a one-year deal because of the franchise tag. If Tampa Bay cannot extend Godwin long term they are going to have a huge need at wide receiver. While they have the chance they should address the receiver position before they have to. Besides Godwin and Mike Evans, the Buccaneers have Scotty Miller and 2020 fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson. Taking a wide receiver within the first few rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft could prep Tampa Bay in case Godwin leaves.

They should take a receiver who could thrive in the slot where Godwin plays, but also could play on the outside. Tyler Johnson could slip into Godwin’s void in the slot since he was Godwin’s primary backup last season.

A Wide Receiver option for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the 2021 NFL Draft:

• Draft Amari Rodgers (Clemson) with pick #96