Bengals Rumors: Deebo Samuel Could Give Joe Burrow Another Offensive Weapon

The Cincinnati Bengals are rumored to be involved in a possible signing of an offensive player.

After an offseason full of additions on the other side of the ball, virtually rebuilding their entire defense along the defensive line and in the secondary, Cincinnati could add another weapon to Joe Burrow's arsenal.

CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani listed the Bengals, along with the Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, as potential landing spots for veteran gadget receiver Deebo Samuel, who spent last season with the Washington Commanders.

Samuel had 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns, with a season-long 41-yard reception coming against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas. He led the Commanders in receiving yards while playing in 16 games. Washington's No. 1 wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, played in just 10 games and posted 582 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Samuel also rushed 17 times for 75 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his hybrid ability as a ball carrier.

He would be a great third option for the Bengals behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Samuel has shown the ability to stay on the field throughout his career, playing in fewer than 13 games only once, in 2020, when he appeared in just seven games due to foot and hamstring injuries. 

Samuel would give the Bengals a gadget receiver who is currently absent from their offense. That is not to say a player like Ja'Marr Chase couldn't fill that role, but Samuel is a more natural fit and could open up the offense even more for Chase and Higgins.

If the Bengals were to add Samuel, who broke out in 2021 with 77 catches, 1,405 receiving yards and six touchdowns, it would call into question their plan for Chase Brown. Brown would still receive the bulk of the carries, but a significant part of his value comes as a receiver. The offense could be an even better fit with a more traditional, ground-and-pound running back if the Bengals are going to invest so heavily in their receiving corps.

There are those who believe Brown could have one of the NFL's most productive running back seasons this year, which would make any discussion about a potential decrease in his workload following a Deebo Samuel addition irrelevant.

At the very least, Samuel would add depth behind Chase and Higgins, as there is currently a fairly steep drop-off in talent from Higgins to Andrei Iosivas, which is much more of a compliment to Higgins than an indictment of Iosivas, who has nevertheless been a reliable No. 3 receiver for Cincinnati.