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          Bengals mail Part 1: Did Andy Dalton progress or regress?

          CINCINNATI -- How well did Year 4 of the Andy Dalton maturation process go?

          That's the first question we're addressing in Saturday's Cincinnati Bengals mailbag. When Hue Jackson took over as offensive coordinator last January, it appeared Dalton might actually take another step forward. Jackson vowed to place a renewed focus on the run; a tactic that was expected to ease the pressure on Dalton's shoulders and not force him into being the team's primary playmaker.

          But some things changed. Injuries happened. Plans got altered. How, then, did those factors affect Dalton's once-promising trajectory?

          @ColeyHarvey. This is a really good question. If you look at his full body of work this season, it might appear on the surface as if Dalton regressed. After all, he once again failed to win a playoff game, and his passing numbers were down. His 3,398 yards tied for the fewest in a single season in his career. He had the exact same number his rookie year. The 19 touchdown passes Dalton threw also were the fewest of his career, while the 17 interceptions were the second most. When you put those statistics together, regression is exactly what you get. But like Pro Bowl offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth often points out, you can't always read into the numbers. Sometimes they don't tell the full story, and that's what you're getting at, wanderer.

          It's safe to say that Dalton's overall production was limited this season due to a couple of different factors. The high rate of injuries to his pass-catchers -- five key passing options missed two or more games -- changed some of what Dalton could do. So did Jackson's insistence on getting the running game involved. Dalton attempted the fewest passes of his career -- nearly 100 fewer than he did in 2013. Despite that, he actually had a higher completion percentage. When Dalton looked good in 2014, he looked really good. When he didn't, he was a turnover machine waiting to happen. While I'm of the mind to say he neither progressed nor regressed, it's hard to deny how much better his season could have been had his pass-catchers all been healthy. Healthier receivers mean more plays get made. They also mean opposing defenses have less incentive to load the box and focus purely on stopping the run -- something that happened to the Bengals late in the season.

          @ColeyHarvey. Speaking of one of those injured receivers, thanks for the question, Coach. I must be honest, I'm not sure what you mean by "look elsewhere." There is absolutely no reason in the world for the Bengals to look for a receiver to replace Jones. They could turn to the draft to develop receiver depth, but that's the only looking the Bengals will do at the position. Jones will be back in 2015 after not playing a down this past season because of ankle and foot injuries. Will he be the No. 2 receiver playing opposite A.J. Green? Time will tell. I don't think that spot is promised to anyone right now. Mohamed Sanu certainly had a strong start to the season, helping fill vacancies left by Green when he was injured, but he didn't produce as well by the end of the year. Drops also became an issue for him. Much like we expected last preseason, anticipate a healthier Jones to compete with Sanu at the No. 2 receiver spot.

          @ColeyHarvey. As far as the Bengals and their first-round pick, I can see them going one of two directions right now: either drafting a dependable offensive tackle or focusing on a pass-rusher. I can't see them making that high a move for receiver because it's not that pressing of a need right now. The only way I could see it being that big of a need in this draft is if the Bengals already have a feeling they won't be able to re-sign three of the four receivers who will be up for free agency in 2016. (Green, Sanu, Jones and Greg Little are entering the final years of their contracts.) Otherwise, their attention ought to be on bringing in a tackle who can eventually take Andrew Whitworth or Andre Smith's place. Whitworth will turn 34 late next season, and Smith could re-sign elsewhere next offseason. In addition to that, the pass rush was so poor in 2014 the Bengals need to address it. Regardless of which position they draft at No. 21, just know it will be the player the Bengals deem the best available.

          @ColeyHarvey. Some might say cornerback is another position the Bengals might consider drafting in the first round. I can't see that happening right now, personally, primarily because of the quandary Stew presents here. Cincinnati picked a corner (Darqueze Dennard) 24th overall last May, and he's barely been able to get on the field because of the talent above him. We'll see what happens with the 36-year-old Terence Newman, but it does seem Dre Kirkpatrick's strong 2014 season may have earned him a starting job. If that's the case, Dennard would be the odd man out of the rotation once again. Because of the faith that still exists in Adam Jones and Leon Hall, it could be tough yet again for Dennard to see time outside of special-teams play. That said, though, Hall and Jones are free agents next year. So Dennard's time to start may not be far away. I'll say this, coaches are desperate to find more defensive roles for Dennard.