Josh

Malone

LB Hardy Nickerson was also cut to make room for waiver adds WR Pharoh Cooper and RB Samaje Perine. Malone collected just seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets during a pedestrian two-year stay in Cincy. He could be a practice squad candidate.

Malone has a hamstring injury. Glenn remains out with his back issue.

Malone is missing a big opportunity with A.J. Green (toe) sidelined the last two weeks. Malone has also missed both games, allowing John Ross, Alex Erickson, and Cody Core to soak up the playing time behind Tyler Boyd.

Malone reportedly suffered the injury in practice. It is a missed opportunity with A.J. Green sidelined. Malone sitting opens up more targets for Alex Erickson, Cody Core, and Auden Tate.

Malone (6’3/208) arrived in Knoxville as a five-star recruit and went on to start 31 games across three seasons, compiling a career receiving line of 104-1,608-14 (15.5 YPR). As a 2016 true junior, Malone’s 19.4 yards-per-reception average shattered Robert Meachem’s single-season school record (18.3). A 4.4-flat field stretcher with otherwise limited athleticism, Malone is a long-striding, buildup-speed receiver whose game lacks suddenness and twitch. He notably struggled against press coverage at Tennessee, also disappointing in contested situations. Ultimately, Malone offers plus size and long speed but little else.

Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson reports some in the organization think Malone is ahead of where Jones was at this point in his career. Malone is a bit heftier than Jones, but both offer good speed and playmaking ability down the field. Hobson does not expect Malone to contribute right away, but he is a name to know in Dynasty formats.

New teammate A.J. Green said Malone reminds him of a young Marvin Jones as a leaner wideout who has downfield speed and playmaking ability. Malone had a monster 2016 junior season, averaging a whopping 19.4 yards per catch. He didn’t test all that well athletically, but there are qualities to build on. Malone will likely open the year no higher than fourth on the depth chart.

“He showed us what we thought he was,” said Urban. “He’s big and he’s fast and he has a good natural feel for the game. He’s learning how to run our routes.” Fellow rookie John Ross also praised Malone, adding “to be his height and run as well as he does and catch the ball as well as he does – I think he’s got a bright future.” Malone figures to spend much of his rookie year buried on the depth chart, but he’s an intriguing deep Dynasty stash.

“That’s definitely my mentality,” Malone said. “Of course, I want more this year and want to have more of an impact this year than last year.” The No. 128 overall pick of last year’s draft, Malone made seven “starts,” but played just 247 snaps on offense. He caught six passes for 63 yards and one touchdown. If he’s going to carve out a 2018 role, it will be with his prodigious long speed.