The Cincinnati Bengals landed at No. 3 in ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell’s ranking of all 32 NFL WR, TE, RB groups, trailing only the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The ranking validates what everyone already knows about Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but it also highlights a lingering gap that has plagued Cincinnati since Tyler Boyd’s departure: The No. 3 receiver spot.

Barnwell noted “there’s no wide receiver in the NFL with a higher floor or ceiling” than Chase, and gave Higgins a WR1 label as well. Having two No. 1 wideouts on the boundary remains a luxury few offenses can match. The reason the Bengals weren’t ranked higher, though, comes down to the supporting cast still needing to prove itself.

Tyler Boyd’s void lingers

I think the Bengals’ inability to truly replace former Boyd has been a bigger challenge than they anticipated. Boyd stepped up as Cincinnati’s top option back in 2018 when A.J. Green missed significant time that season. He solidified himself as a mainstay, earned a contract extension during Zac Taylor’s first offseason, and when Chase arrived in 2021 alongside a second-year leap from Higgins, that trio became the best receiving core in football.

Boyd was a separation machine who found soft spots in zones and moved the chains. He was never the best athlete or the most dynamic vertical threat, but a reliable outlet for both Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow, he was indeed. His declining athleticism caught up with him at the end of his time in Cincinnati, and his hands weren’t nearly as reliable. The great parts of his game weren’t great anymore.

The Bengals tried to get ahead of the transition in 2023, drafting Charlie Jones in the fourth round and Andrei Iosivas in the sixth. Jones was the more natural slot body, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Iosivas seized the opportunity and became the starting slot receiver in 2024. Jermaine Burton was drafted that same year with a chance to factor in, but his time in Cincy came to an end last year.

Cincinnati doesn’t need a massive investment to fill the No. 3 role. They’ve been relying on a late Day 3 pick in Iosivas to do it. He also remains the club’s best chance of being the No. 3 it needs.

Andrei Iosivas is auditioning for his future

There’s real pressure on Iosivas. He’s entering his fourth NFL season and entering his first contract year. He’s also in the best possible situation a young receiver could ask for. Chase and Higgins on the boundary guarantee him one-on-one matchups on nearly every snap with Burrow throwing him the football.

Iosivas has the physical tools of a field stretcher at 6-3, 210 pounds with 4.4 speed. He can run a 9 route with the best of them. What can make him a better player is winning in the details. He needs to generate quicker separation, become more efficient in and out of his breaks, and finish receptions when Burrow finds him underneath while Chase and Higgins draw bracketed coverage.

Even if Iosivas produces a quality year, retaining him long-term while paying Chase and Higgins monster deals will be difficult. He’s going to be auditioning for 31 other teams. If he can demonstrate true inside-outside versatility and provide what Boyd once gave this offense in the slot, that benefits his 2027 free agent market and, more importantly, elevates Cincinnati’s passing attack before he ever hits the open market.

Mike Gesicki’s continuity advantage

The slot doesn’t just belong to Iosivas. Mike Gesicki has been fully integrated in this offense for just as long. He was a problem for defenses in 2024. Missing four games while also suffering from having Jake Browning as his quarterback for three other games was his problem in 2025.

Gesicki showed signs of life after his return in Week 12. His fit still makes a ton of sense as an oversized slot receiver rather than a traditional tight end, using his frame to box out defenders while Burrow delivers back-shoulder throws and seam routes with surgical accuracy.

The split-field coverage opponents will continue to deploy against Chase and Higgins will continue giving Gesicki chances to cook. He mentioned earlier this offseason that entering his third year in the same offensive system is unprecedented in his career. The continuity in Cincinnati should benefit him, and if he stays healthy alongside Burrow for a full season, I think his production returns to 2024 levels or close to it.

The sky’s the limit for this offense

Iosivas and Gesicki aren’t alone to help out Chase and Higgins. With Chase Brown as a receiving outlet from the backfield, Erick All Jr. potentially contributing if healthy, and Mitchell Tinsley providing depth, the Bengals have the pieces to reclaim the title of the NFL’s best receiving corps.

The offensive line quietly finished the 2025 season as one of the league’s most efficient rushing attacks. Burrow is undeniably elite.

The difference between a great offense and an untouchable offense comes down to the skill players around Chase and Higgins proving they belong. Iosivas and Gesicki will be charged with making that happen.