:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69035332/1281849320.0.jpg)
The Cincinnati Bengals have been making their rounds to pro days of various colleges.
One name that the team has met with that warrants some attention is their visit with Auburn Tigers wide receiver Anthony Schwartz, who just ran a 4.26 40-yard dash.
An update on #Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz, who ran a blazing 4.26. He's recently met with the #Rams, #Bills, #Bengals, #Lions, #Vikings, #Ravens, #Cowboys & #Cardinals.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 25, 2021
Previously reported: #Patriots, #Seahawks, #Steelers, #Jets, #Chargers, #Colts, #Saints and #Titans.
Schwartz is a 6-foot, roughly 180-pound receiver who has plenty of room for growth as a receiver. His blazing speed will likely have him being selected on the second day of the draft, but there is plenty of potential there if he and whatever coaching staff he gets paired with can polish off his game.
Schwartz had 54 receptions for 636 yard and three touchdowns in 2020. He surprisingly only averaged 11.8 yards per reception, but you can see several plays where his speed could make the gears of an offensive coach to turn with ways to use him. He also had plenty of experience with jet sweeps and end-arounds with over 300 career rushing yards and seven career rushing touchdowns.
Schwartz is a player that is more of a boom-or-bust prospect. He is a player that a team like the Bengals would be happy to add on Day 3, but odds are he will be going sooner than that with his 40-time.
It makes sense for the Bengals to do their homework on a player like this, but the fit just doesn’t really fit with the likely cost to get him. Maybe if the team is able to add a veteran receiver in free agency who can start in 2021 and draft offensive linemen early, Cincinnati could consider taking a chance on developing a player like Schwartz.
As it stands right now they may be better off looking for a more well-rounded option.