With no additions in free agency, wide receiver is a position the Cincinnati Bengals could go big on in the 2017 NFL Draft. The receiving corps was ravaged by free agency in 2016 when Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu both left for Detroit and Atlanta and little has been done to address the losses.

All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green is returning after his 2016 season was shortened by injury. He will continue to fill up the box score while making the highlight reel every week. Green is about as close to a sure thing as any receiver in the NFL.

The situation after Green is much murkier.

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The other de-facto starter at this time is Brandon LaFell. He was solid in 2016, with 64 catches for 862 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers are not spectacular, especially for the second man on the depth chart. He would be better served as the third option, rather than seeing a large workload. He has been re-signed on a two-year deal this offseason, so the coaching staff was impressed enough with his work.

Tyler Boyd returns to take over slot duties. He made an impact during his rookie year, with 54 catches for 603 yards and one touchdown. Receivers tend to get better after their first year in the league, and Boyd is showing he can be what Cincinnati saw in him when they selected him in the second round.

Cody Core rounds out the bottom of the receiving corps. He managed to stand out in Week 17 with a four catch, 82 yard game against the Ravens on New Year’s Day. He should compete to make the 53-man roster, but is not a candidate to take on a starting role.

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When it comes to the draft, the Bengals could take a WR as high as ninth overall. With LaFell back in the fold, they will likely take care of other needs at the top of the draft instead. However, don’t be surprised if they go receiver in the first round though . . . It certainly worked out the last time they did.

Clemson’s Mike Williams is the top receiving prospect on the board this year. If he falls past the eight teams ahead of Cincinnati, he could be an incredible option to have on the field with Green.

If the Bengals take care of another need in the first round, there are other options in later rounds they could consider.

Western Michigan’s Corey Davis could be a steal in the second round if he makes it that far. The 6-foot-3, 209 pound receiver destroyed his competition in college, and his game could translate well into the pros. Cincinnati could also consider taking him in first round. He’s that good.

Ohio State’s Noah Brown, ECU’s Zay Jones and Ole Miss’ Damore’ea Stringefellow are other names the Bengals could target on the second or third day of the draft if they wait to add a receiver.

Cincinnati will likely use one of their 11 draft picks to select a wide receiver, it’s more a matter of when.