Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis Thinks Mohamed Sanu Could Start

During his rookie mini-camp wrap-up with the media on Sunday, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said that 2012 third round pick Mohamed Sanu will instantly push for a starting role.

"I thought Sanu was everything we expected him to be," Lewis said according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He’s going to come in here and play as a rookie and push to start."

A three-year starter at Rutgers, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Sanu is a big, physical receiver who caught 210 passes for 2,263 yards and 12 touchdowns with 653 rushing yards and nine touchdowns during his 38-game career. Sanu uses his size and strength to do the dirty work in traffic and should be a good No. 2 receiver opposite 2011 first round pick A.J. Green.

That the Bengals are expecting immediate contributions from Sanu and 2012 fifth round pick Marvin Jones is not a surprise. With wide receivers Jerome Simpson (Minnesota) and Andre Caldwell (Denver) departing in free agency, the Bengals have over 1,300 snaps at the receiver position to fill. The only other receivers on the roster who caught a pass last season are Jordan Shipley, Ryan Whalen and Andrew Hawkins, who combined for 31 receptions and 304 yards.