Because he was released this offseason, signing LaFell to a contract wouldn't factor into the Bengals' 2017 compensatory picks, where Cincy figures to get several quality picks thanks to Jones and Sanu signing big free agent deals elsewhere.

 

LaFell, now 29-years-old, entered this offseason in the final year of his three-year, $9-million deal and was set to make a base salary of $2.4 million for the 2016 season when the Patriots cut him loose less than a week before the start of free agency. Injuries plagued LaFell in 2015 and led to him opening the year on PUP after offseason foot surgery.

 

That led to LaFell playing in just 11 games for the Patriots and recording 37 catches for 515 yards and no touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 119 receiver out of 121 qualifying players. Despite his struggles, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised LaFell for his work ethic and battling back from his injury.

 

In 87 career games played with the Patriots and Panthers, LaFell has caught 278 passes for 3,853 and 20 scores across six seasons. While he probably won't be a big impact player for any offense, he's certainly capable of making up for the lost production of Sanu.

 

LaFell is one season removed from a 74 catch, 953 yard and 7 touchdown season so there's good reason to believe after an offseason of training rather than recovering, he could get back to that level of production. We all saw how much an offseason of working rather than rehabbing impacted Geno Atkins from 2014 to 2015.

 

LaFell is likely one of the best free agent options at wide receiver the Bengals could snatch up so it will be interesting to see how his visit goes.

 

NFL Free Agency: Bengals hosting former Patriots WR Brandon LaFell for visit - Cincy Jungle

The price sounds right.

 

Anyone on LaFell?

He could be a nice option as a #3 WR. Dude drops a lot of balls though.

If the price is right and they pick him up with the thinking of him only be at best a #3 then that is fine. However I am always not to sure of picking up WR's who played for the Pats. Tom Brady makes a lot of people look better than they truly are. Which even though Dalton was playing at an MVP level last year, he is still not a QB that makes players around him better. He is a player that needs talented guys around him.

If the price is right and they pick him up with the thinking of him only be at best a #3 then that is fine. However I am always not to sure of picking up WR's who played for the Pats. Tom Brady makes a lot of people look better than they truly are. Which even though Dalton was playing at an MVP level last year, he is still not a QB that makes players around him better. He is a player that needs talented guys around him.

 

Kind of my thinking. I was thinking of all the teams you could get a WR off the scrap heap from and we pick the Pats.

 

With that said, the Pats are known for letting players go that have some gas in the tank.

One of the last draft projections I saw had the Bengals taking two WR's early. If you get LaFell, do you take one and use the other pick on a position of need (CB, S, etc.)?

One of the last draft projections I saw had the Bengals taking two WR's early. If you get LaFell, do you take one and use the other pick on a position of need (CB, S, etc.)?

 

CB and safety are not as high of a position of need as people think. The main true position of need is wr. If we draft a corner they would be 4th or 5th on the depth chart. If we draft a safety they probably are 4th on the depth chart. Obviuosly always good to add depth like they did on the o line. However when I think of a true need, I think of someone we need to draft to possibly start next year to help the team. Which wr and center would be the only two spots where we can draft a guy that could have a true chance to start.

CB and safety are not as high of a position of need as people think. The main true position of need is wr. If we draft a corner they would be 4th or 5th on the depth chart. If we draft a safety they probably are 4th on the depth chart. Obviuosly always good to add depth like they did on the o line. However when I think of a true need, I think of someone we need to draft to possibly start next year to help the team. Which wr and center would be the only two spots where we can draft a guy that could have a true chance to start.

 

I think a good DT would have a chance to start over Peko.

Whomever we pick up at #2 WR is, in essence, a 3 on the Bengals. I think LaFell is good for that. They really like Kumerow from something I read or listened to, but for the life of me I can't find it. He still is a rookie for all intents and purposes.

 

Again, this is what the Bengals, Steelers, Pats, Packers do most often.

LaFell has a hard time staying healthy.