NFL Draft Info - Cincinnati Bengals

Every Bengals fan agrees that we need some new life injected into the wide receiver corps. What I don't understand is why most fans seem to be soured on Andre Caldwell's potential. I have heard people say "Draft a receiver to play opposite of Chad, and let Quan Cosby play the slot." What about Andre Caldwell? Just forget him? Caldwell is far from a bust. I would like to remind people that this was Caldwell's 2nd season in the NFL. He was a 3rd round compensentory (free) pick. Not much is expected from those guys. I looked at all of the WRs drafted in the first 3 rounds in 2008 to see where he ranks.

This past year, Andre caught 51 balls playing the slot most of the time. The slot is usually played by veteran players who know how to read coverages and run very good routes. Only 3 receivers drafted in 2008 caught more passes. Sure he disapeared in the final 6 weeks, but he hasn't played this many games in his life. He wore down just like the Bengals did down the stretch. Oh yeah he did fumble 4 times this season, but Desean Jackson has fumbled 7 times, Eddie Royal (3), Jordy Nelson (3). It happens to wide receivers. Did you know Calvin Johnson has fumbled 7 times in 3 seasons? Ted Ginn jr has fumbled 10 times over that same time, both were top 10 picks.

I'm all for drafting a WR, but I'm not sure we need one in the first round. We need help next season, not in 2 or 3 seasons. I gathered some stats from every WR drafted in the first 3 rounds, in the last 3 years, because thats likely where we will see the Bengals draft a WR in the 2010 draft. This is what I found...

If we draft a WR in the...

1st Round -  Rookie WRs drafted in the 1st round have averaged 39 receptions for 560 yards.

+ The Bengals could get lucky and draft a Dwayne Bowe ( 70 Rec, 995 Yards, 5 TDs as a Rookie)   

-  Or we could get unlucky and draft a Craig Davis ( 20 Receptions, 188 yards, 1 TD as a Rookie)   

2nd Round - Rookie WRs drafted in the 2nd round have averaged 24 receptions for 374 yards.

+ Eddie Royal (91 rec, 980 yards, 5 TD) Desean Jackson (62 rec, 912 yards, 2 TD) Donnie Avery (53 rec, 674, 3 TD)

- Dwayne Jarrett (6 rec, 73 yrds)  Brian Robiskie (7 rec, 106 yrds)  Malcolm Kelly (3 rec, 18 yrds)

3rd Round - Rookie WRs drafted in the 3rd round have averaged 11 receptions for 141 yards.

+ Laurent Robinson (37 rec, 437 yrds, TD) James Jones (47 rec, 676 yrds 2 TDs) Mike Wallace (39 rec, 756 yrd, 6TDs)

- Ramses Barden (1 rec, 16 yrds)  Jason Hill (1 rec, 6 yrds) 12 third round WRs caught less than 10 balls as a Rookie in the past 3 seasons! *cough* Jerome Simpson *cough*

I looked at what kind of stats WRs usually put up in their 2nd seasons.

Andre Caldwell - 51 receptions, 432 yards, 3 TDs  (2nd season in NFL)

2nd year WRs averaged 28 receptions for 357 yards.

2nd year WRs that were drafted in the 3rd round averaged 21 receptions for 270 yards

*This shows me that Andre Caldwell isn't your average young receiver, he is ahead of the pack.

So of course I checked out what WRs usually put up in their 3rd seasons in the NFL.

3rd year WRs averaged 34 receptions for 460 yards.

3rd year WRs who caught more than 50 balls in the their 2nd season averaged 65 receptions for 812 yards.

* tell me you wouldnt take those numbers from Andre Caldwell next season?

Player Comparison: Andre Caldwell and Steve Smith (NYG)

Steve Smith was drafted late in the 2nd round by the Giants. (8 rec, 63 yrds as a rookie)

Andre Caldwell was drafted late in the 3rd round by the Bengals. (11 rec, 78 yrds as a rookie)

2nd Season : Smith (57 rec, 574 yards, 1 TD)                Caldwell ( 51 rec, 432 yards, 3 TDs)

3rd Season :  Smith (107 rec, 1220 yards, 7 TDs)         Caldwell ?

* I'm not saying Caldwell is going to catch 100 balls next season, he wont be the go to guy. But both players play the slot, and are very similar in size.

Expect Caldwells numbers to look more like 3rd year WRs who caught more than 50 balls in the their 2nd season, they averaged 65 receptions for 812 yards.

So do we want to take a chance on a rookie WR to save our passing offense?

Or can third year man Andre Caldwell be the answer as our #2 wide receiver?