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Odell Beckham meets with Cincinnati Bengals

Could the Bengals actually consider a WR with their first pick?

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Surely the Cincinnati Bengals aren't considering a wide receiver in the first round of May's NFL Draft...

Don't call me Shirley, and don't doubt the Bengals wanting another wideout for a second:

Beckham is one of this year's top WR prospects, and most believe he'll be off the board by pick No. 20. The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are two AFC North teams thought to be strongly considering him.

The Ravens pick at no. 17, while the Steelers hold the 15th pick. Perhaps, the Bengals are just getting to know Beckham in anticipation of having to face him if one of the other AFC North teams drafts him.

Beckham was the Paul Hornung Award winner as the nation's most versatile player in 2013 when he broke the LSU single-season all-purpose yards record (2,315) and snagged 59-1,152-8 (19.5) in 13 starts.

He offers versatility to go between "X," "Z" and the slot given his ability to stretch the field and run after the catch. That means he could replace the departed Andrew Hawkins in the slot while also getting playing time at the other two WR spots.

He also returned 68 career punts for 557 yards (8.2), including two scores, and 42 kickoffs for 1,044 yards (24.9), so he could give the Bengals that explosive returner they've lacked for much of the past decade.

This is some pretty interesting news to say the least, but even Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson has floated the idea of the Bengals taking a WR in the first round if the right guy fell to them.

Beckham would be a tough guy to pass on if he fell to pick no. 24.