Robert

Meachem

The team’s top priority is believed to be re-signing FS Reggie Nelson, but the Bengals have the salary cap room to plug holes at running back and wide receiver as well. Profootballtalk’s Gregg Rosenthal astutely pointed out that Bush may have cemented his 2012 role as a complementary back after fading under a heavy workload in the final six weeks of the season.

Glazer puts Colston’s timetable for return at four weeks, but that’s probably optimistic. Lance Moore’s groin injury has continued to linger, and Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson both stepped up for big nights at Green Bay. Moore would be Colston’s logical replacement outside and in the slot. If Moore doesn’t get back soon, look for Meachem and Henderson to start with Jimmy Graham perhaps seeing a bump in targets. Colston owners should try to hang onto him as an injured WR5, hoping Glazer’s return estimate proves right. It’s tough luck for Colston, who made an impressive return from offseason microfracture surgery with 81 yards in the opener.

The Saints were clearly easing Moore back in off his groin injury. Robert Meachem was the main receiver in all single-wide sets, playing 59 snaps and Devery Henderson played 39. We should also note that the Saints uncharacteristically went with three wideouts on just 20-of-67 plays as they sat on a big lead. Look for Moore’s role to gradually rise.

He now has a TD in each of New Orleans’ three games. A better route runner and more physical presence than Devery Henderson, Meachem has at least four catches in Weeks 1, 2, and 3. Marques Colston (collarbone) figures to miss another game, so Meachem will be worth a strong WR3 look against the Jaguars in Week 4.

Meachem was targeted five times compared to six apiece for Lance Moore and Marques Colston. While Meachem does have three touchdowns, he’s averaging just 45.6 yards per game heading into Week 6 at Tampa. Meachem is a shaky WR3 play now that all Saints receivers are healthy.

The Saints are only $5 million under the salary cap. They will likely create more space with impending cap casualties, but Meachem and Porter are not expected back regardless. Meachem, 27, could be one of the better bargains in a strong receiver market. The same goes for Porter at cornerback. Look for the Raiders to show interest in Porter if they can find a way to pay him.

Meachem is almost just as big as Colston with equally as soft hands and much better long speed. The Globe’s Greg Bedard says the Saints will “probably let Colston walk thinking (they) have Meachem in the bag” for cheaper, but it might not go as they plan. Meachem could be welcomed by a surprisingly hot market.

Turner says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Meachem between 60 and 70 catches with 1,000 receiving yards. “Look at the history of the offense,” Turner said. “Meachem is capable of giving us that stat production if he can play a complete season.” As for why Meachem hasn’t put up big numbers in his career so far, Turner pointed out the depth of wide receiver in New Orleans. He went on to mention that Meachem “hasn’t been the focal point”, which gives the impression that he’ll now have that opportunity in San Diego. A 65-catch, 1,000 yard season with a half dozen touchdowns would put Meachem in WR2 territory, making him a player to target.

The Bills have money to spend, and they’re not going to waste time in landing their top targets. Meachem is being targeted as a vertical threat to pair with Stevie Johnson and slot receiver David Nelson.

Meachem is visiting the Bills on Tuesday night, but St. Louis wants him at Rams Park on Wednesday. Meachem has sub-4.4 deep speed and separation skills, which makes him more valuable than his statistics as a rotational player in New Orleans suggest. The 28-year-old would immediately be the Rams’ top wideout. Per the Union-Tribune San Diego, the Chargers are also interested in Meachem.