Insider: 3 Bengals Combine observations

While watching 40 times and discussing bendability dominate the television event that the NFL Scouting Combine has become, the conversations behind the scenes between teams, agents, evaluators and general managers serve more relevance than any broad jump or shuttle run in the big picture.

After a week in Indianapolis, the official building of the 2015 Bengals has begun. Here's three developing storylines swirling around Indianapolis this week with free agency and pro days right around the corner.

1) Receiver room dominoes in play

The speed of this corps of receivers took center stage Saturday. West Virginia's Kevin White stole the spotlight but he won't land on the Bengals radar since he projects to the top of the draft. The construct of what the Bengals are looking for in filling a need at this position was the interesting development and stretches away from recent years. Under Marvin Lewis they have drafted 18 receivers but only one shorter than six foot (Jordan Shipley, 5-11, 2010).

The trend could change.

With a slew of tall receivers already in house (A.J. Green 6-4, Mohamed Sanu 6-2, Marvin Jones 6-2, James Wright 6-1) the emphasis shifted dramatically to speed for Hue Jackson. A small, quick Andrew Hawkins-type would be a coveted weapon. In particular, any receiver selected out of this deep class should probably also possess return skills.

Cincinnati sought after that skill set in recent years, but never pulled the trigger on an explosive receiver who can also return kicks to replace Brandon Tate. The veteran's inability to contribute offensively along with Adam Jones' effectiveness as a returner almost certainly assure Tate won't return as a UFA. This class of wideouts are too talented to think the Bengals won't find one they like.

An interesting question revolves around when they select one. A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson are the only wideouts taken under Lewis in the first or second round. Seven receivers were selected in the second round last year and nearly all were significant contributors. If the Bengals do stretch up to the second round, it would up the stakes in a head-to-head battle between Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu for a long-term contract. Both enter contract years and especially if another top pick is in the rotation behind them, it would provide financial challenges to pay both in 2016.

2) Defensive line answers should come from free agency

Finding answers among the ineffective pass rush list as the top priority of this offseason. Finding a starter almost certainly won't come from this draft. No player available at No. 21 will arrive and bring the kind of impact the Bengals need to beat the playoff teams they must figure out how to beat.

That could mean challenging internal discussions as the early days of free agency unfold. As Cincinnati holds its conservative model when it comes to the first wave of lucrative free agent deals, there will be a push to open the pocketbooks to provide the game-changing talent needed.

With those conversations could come discussions of controversy surrounding a name like former Carolina DL Greg Hardy. He missed all but one game last season after he was found guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder. Chargers were dropped at his Feb. 9 appeal when Holder refused to cooperate with the district attorney's office. The league could still suspend him on their own violation of the personal conduct code.

Hardy could come at a slight discount considering his on-field production as one of the top pass rushers in the NFL due to his legal trouble and pending discipline. Look for the Bengals to give him a serious look. Also, keep an eye on the transactions over the next two weeks in Tampa Bay. A chance exists the Bucs could cut last year's free agent jewel and former Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson. That decision could fall either way at this point, but if they do both the Bengals and Johnson would be very interested in making a reunion occur.

There are about half a dozen defensive line free agents who could sign and start for the Bengals, if they don't land one it would be hard to call this offseason a success.

3) Emphasis grows on linebackers

In the past, the Bengals worked miracles finding linebackers. Vontaze Burfict, Emmanuel Lamur and Vinny Rey were all undrafted free agents. Since Rey Maualuga was selected in the second round in 2009, no linebacker was selected in the first two rounds and only Dontay Moch in the third.

The philosophy of de-emphasizing linebacker picks looks to be changing after a season where depth was exposed and decimated. Part of the urgency stems from uncertainty among the starters. Maualuga is a free agent, Burfict rehabs from micro fracture surgery on his knee and Lamur needs to improve from his first year as a full-time starter.

All early reports project Burfict on pace to return by training camp and coaches feel confident in his situation currently requiring rest following surgery. But with this surgery you just never know. A backup plan must be put in place. That means likely dedicated a pick on the first or second day to the position.

Depth won't stop there. Expect the Bengals to chase a complementary linebacker in free agency as well. This player likely will come from the second and third week of free agency of the players left after the expensive first wave concludes. The team would like to bring back Rey Maualuga. Odds are in favor of agreeing to a deal, but more a matter of if the Bengals allow him to see the open market.