NFL Nation reporter Coley Harvey assesses which rookies on the Bengals could earn a starting berth this season.

Bengals rookie wide receiver Mario Alford could make an impact with his elite speed. AP Photo/John Minchillo

Why Mario Alford could start: Let's preface all of this by saying all of the drafted and undrafted players the Bengals added to their roster this offseason will have a tough time cracking the team's starting rotation. Without having lost many key veterans to free agency and retirement, Cincinnati brings back one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. That said, Alford stands as good a chance to start as any of the rookies simply because he has something that can't be learned, nor taught: speed. Clocked with a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash time during his pro day, the receiver possesses a quickness that had Bengals coaches intrigued right away. Although a seventh-round pick, Alford's versatility as a runner, receiver and special-teams returner makes him a logical fit as an occasional contributor to the Bengals' offense. Can he really break through, though? A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and James Wright should occupy the first four spots, but along with Alford, there are five other players competing for likely two other receiver jobs.

Why Jake Fisher could start: While Alford's playmaking ability gives him the best chance of starting, Fisher might actually be the rookie who has the most opportunities to start. Injuries can occur often on the offensive line, meaning the offensive tackle has good odds to enter in relief at some point this year. Right tackle Andre Smith, for example, missed seven games last season to injuries. Fisher's versatility also works in his favor. In addition to playing both tackle positions during spring practices, he also lined up at left guard and as a extra blocker in unbalanced line sets. If anyone on the offensive line goes down, he certainly will be one of the first ones off the bench. If it's a starting tackle who misses time, Eric Winston likely would be the first to relieve him. But if two tackles are forced out of the rotation, expect to see Fisher come in, too. A second-round pick, Fisher was actually the second lineman the Bengals picked. First-round tackle Cedric Ogbuehi was injured in a December bowl game (torn ACL), Ogbuehi doesn't stand much of a chance to start this season as he slowly continues rehab.

Why C.J. Uzomah could start: Honestly, we could have picked any of three Bengals draft picks to be the last player on this list of potential rookie starters. Third-round tight end Tyler Kroft and third-round linebacker P.J. Dawson had solid college careers and play positions in which the Bengals are currently in need of some help. With Vontaze Burfict's recovery from offseason microfracture surgery still coming along slowly, Cincinnati could have an opening for a starting "Will" linebacker. Until Burfict is able to join the team -- possibly after the season has started -- A.J. Hawk and Vincent Rey appear to be the most likely candidates to take his place, not Dawson. Playing time issues also affect Kroft. Although coaches have expressed confidence in their tight ends' performances this spring, few of the tight ends have looked impressive, other than Tyler Eifert, during open practices. Although still comparatively raw, Uzomah -- a fifth-round selection -- seems to have a better handle on things than Kroft, who dropped his share of passes during organized team activities and minicamp. Because the Bengals likely will employ some two-tight end sets, look for Kroft, Uzomah (or even undrafted rookie Matt Lengel) to be among the rookies who potentially get playing time this year.