DaytonDailyNews.com

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to entertain probably one of the most electrifying prospects entering this year's NFL draft in Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. He is scheduled to visit the Bengals April 2-3, and there is a very good chance that the player could make a return visit to Cincinnati on draft day.

The Bengals own the sixth overall selection in the 2009 draft and could use the pick to select Maclin, who is worthy of Top 10 consideration.

The highly touted receiver would be the ideal replacement for departed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who will be catching passes in Seattle this season.

Familiar role

If selected by the Bengals, Maclin would assume the duties once held by Houshmandzadeh. That would be running all the underneath routes from the slot position. However, the difference between the two receivers is that Maclin is a threat to take it the distance whenever the ball is in his hands.

Maclin played primarily in the slot while in college, but also stretched the field playing outside receiver in the Tiger's offense. He finished the 2008 season with 102 catches for 1,260 yards and 13 touchdowns. Maclin accounted for 2,833 All-Purpose yards in '08.

The one knock on Maclin is that he played out receiver sparingly. NFL teams wanted to know if he could be as effective on the outside as he was on the inside.

Teams got their answer

I had the privilege to watch Maclin, along with NFL coaches and scouts, go through receiving drills at the combine. He far exceeded everyone's expectations. Maclin is a precise route runner with sure-hands, speed, quickness and elusiveness. He's a playmaker both on offense and in the return game.

The other thing teams learned that day is Maclin is not a return-man playing receiver, but just the opposite. I had one scout tell me that Maclin has all the physical tools and abilities to become one of the elite receivers in the league.

Maclin had a superb showing in Indianapolis and his performance at the school's pro day was said to be even better.

The receiver answered all the questions on whether or not he can play outside, but in his mind there was never any doubt about his ability to do other things.

"I feel like if you're a receiver you should be able to play the position no matter what," Maclin said during a phone interview on Friday Mar. 27. "I don't think I'll have a problem adjusting to it in the pros and welcome the challenge."

To play the slot position you have to be tough. When you watch film on Maclin you'll see him consistently banging with the linebackers like Steelers receiver Hines Ward. Blocking is one thing that he prides himself on.

"I think I am one of the best blocking receivers in the draft if not the best," Maclin said. "I feel like that's what I bring to the table. I'm a physical guy who wants to go out there and compete on every play. The position I played in college forced me to go out there and mix it up with the outside linebackers."

The Bengals are believed to be looking for playmakers and Maclin ranks at the top of that list. Not only would he give quarterback Carson Palmer another weapon, but would also provide the team with a game-breaker on special teams, something they lack.

The club's interest in the talented receiver comes as no surprise and he appears to be a perfect fit. The only remaining question is will the Bengals make it happen at No. 6?

Carlos "Big C" Holmes covers the NFL for the Dayton Daily News.

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