There's a realistic possibility that the Bengals could go after a wide receiver in the first round, reports NFL Network's Adam Schaefer on NFL Total Access. The team is bringing in Malcolm Kelly and James Hardy for interviews. Kelly, wide receiver out of Oklahoma scored 19 touchdowns on 111 receptions in the final two seasons of his college career. Hardy, receiver out of Indiana, recorded 26 touchdowns on 130 receptions in the final two seasons of his college career.
In Todd McShay's latest mock draft, Kelly is the first receiver taken at #11 -- Bills. Hardy fell to #43 with Devin Thomas (Michigan State), DeSean Jackson (Cal), Limas Sweed (Texas) and Mario Manningham (Michigan) in between. It would seem that the Bengals, if they are targeting a wide receiving during the first day, that they'll go after Kelly in the first round. If he's gone, then Hardy in the second round.
However, as a result of keeping their depth, the Bengals signed Doug Gabriel to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
| Year | Team | Rec | Yrds | TD |
| 2003 | OAK | 1 | 17 | 0 |
| 2004 | OAK | 33 | 551 | 2 |
| 2005 | OAK | 37 | 554 | 3 |
| 2006 | OAK/NE | 30 | 428 | 3 |
| Career | 101 | 1,550 | 8 |
Gabriel is the sixth receiver signed for 2008 -- including the uncertainty of Johnson's stay in Cincinnati.