The Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins gets most of the attention when examining the Bengals’ top playmakers. That focus on Chase and Higgins is due to the explosive playmaking ability of both receivers, but it is also due to the Bengals’ lack of additional offensive playmakers. Zac Taylor has built the Bengals’ offense around quarterback Joe Burrow’s preference to play offense with a college-style passing game out of spread formations. With that offensive scheme in mind, the Bengals do a solid job designing explosive plays, but the offense tends to be inconsistent when managing the game. An athletic, playmaker at slot receiver could help take the Bengals offense and Joe Burrow’s performance to the next level. The Bengals have several slot receivers on their 2025 roster, but it is hard to tell if one of those players can develop into a consistent playmaker.
Slot 1: Andrei Iosivas
Andrei Iosivas is the Bengals’ top slot receiver as they prepare for OTAs and mini-camps. The 6’3, 210-pound Iosivas has played in 30 games for the Bengals since 2023. During that time, he caught 51 passes for 595 yards and scored 10 touchdowns for Cincinnati. Iosivas possesses elite speed and is an excellent deep threat when playing out of the slot. Unfortunately, Iosivas is a sloppy route runner and is inconsistent in making the plays needed to extend drives. A feast or famine player at slot does not put the Bengals in a position to maximize Joe Burrow’s efficiency, and is a glaring weakness in the Bengals’ passing attack.
Slot 2: Charlie Jones
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Charlie Jones in the 4th round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Since being drafted, Jones has played in 19 games for the Bengals but has only caught eight passes for 69 yards. Jones found his most success at the college football level while playing at Purdue in 2022. While playing for the Boilermakers, Jones caught 110 passes for 1.361 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Like Iosivas, Jones has elite speed, but he has yet to carve out a role that will allow him to consistently contribute to the Bengals’ offense.
Slot 3: Isaiah Williams
The Bengals signed Isaiah Williams during the 2024 season after the Detroit Lions released Williams. While in Detroit, Williams played in two games for the Lions and caught two passes for six yards. After being signed by the Bengals, Williams played in six games for the Bengals. However, he did not see any passes in those six games. The 5’10”, 185-pound Williams brings quarterback experience to the Bengals roster, which should add to Williams’ football IQ. Williams’ strength is his ability to run effective short and intermediate routes. It could develop into a good check-down option for Burrow if allowed to fulfill that role.
Slot 4: UDFA Jamoi Mayes
After the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bengals signed former Cincinnati Bearcat Jamoi Mayes. Mayes started his football career at the NCAA FCS University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After playing four seasons for the Mocs, Mayes transferred to the University of Cincinnati for the 2024 season. While playing for the Bearcats, Mayes played in 12 games and caught 29 passes for 349 yards and one touchdown. Like the Bengals’ other slot receivers, Mayes brings speed to the table, but it is hard to classify Mayes in terms of what role he could play for the Bengals from the slot receiver position.
Can a Slot become a Consistent Playmaker?
The ideal slot receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals would be a multi-talented role player like Wes Welker for the Patriots, Dolphins, and Broncos. The ability to produce explosive plays off-screen passes and get open on crossing routes could give Joe Burrow a consistent check-down option to pick up first downs and move the chains to extend offensive drives. Iosivas does not check the boxes needed to become a transcendent player at a slot receiver position. During OTAs, mini-camps, and training camp, the Bengals need to find and maximize a third receiving threat at the slot receiver position.
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