The Cincinnati Bengals signed free agent Brandon LaFell in hopes of him becoming the number two wide receiver opposite Pro Bowler A.J. Green after seldom being used the season before with the New England Patriots.
LaFell's role in the offense changed quickly, as Green tore his hamstring during a Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, forcing him to miss the next seven games.
Prior to Green's injury, LaFell saw 5.1 targets per game, but that nearly doubled to 8.9 targets per game after the injury. With this increased opportunity and, his production saw quite a spike.
| Category | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Receptions | 37 | 64 |
| Reception NEP per Target (Rank) | 0.49 (66th) | 0.70 (T-18th) |
| Catch Rate | 50.00% | 59.81% |
| Touchdowns | 0 | 6 |
LaFell increased his Reception NEP per target by 0.21 points, finishing much better than the 2016 league average of 0.66. With a large jump in catch rate, it shouldn't be surprising that the touchdowns also followed. With Green's absence, he tied with tight end Tyler Eifert in yards per reception in Cincy (13.6).
Set to become an unrestricted free agent, it has yet to be determined if the Bengals want to bring him back or continue developing their young receivers. Either way, he's once again proven to be a valuable contributor when given the opportunity.