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Which Cincinnati Bengals Position Groups are the Deepest?

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Think about how little depth the 53-man roster provides. In a sense, it means 59% of the guys on an NFL football team only have one other man for their specific spot on the field. Try getting through a 16-game season with a depth chart that’s about as shallow as the pool that the Cleveland Browns are allowed to play in.

So, when we talk about deep position groups, you won’t hear us say a lot of names – because there isn’t room for them. But we still smile when we think of these positions on the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster because these few names can produce a lot of numbers.  Touchdowns, interceptions, yards per carry, and on and on.

WIDE RECEIVER

Names: A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Josh Malone, Alex Erickson, Auden Tate

This group has more grabby hands than a high school crowd on prom night. Start with A.J. Green, in his worst statistical year (2016, when he only played 10 games), he caught 66 passes for 954 yards at 14.6 yards per catch – oh darn. He’s one of the NFL’s best, and this should be the year he gets some serious help.

Josh Malone, the second year-man out of Tennessee, and speedster John Ross have been causing some camp buzz. With Brandon LaFell being released, the Cincinnati Bengals will look to Malone to assume a larger role in the offense. Ross is ready to atone for a disappointing, injury-riddled freshman campaign.

And if you like the speedster Ross, you’ll love the tallster Auden Tate. The seventh-round pick from Florida State has flown under the radar in the last few months – which should be impossible, given his 6‘5” frame. Having him in the red zone will put opposing DBs on red alert.

In case you’re wondering, no, we didn’t forget about Tyler Boyd. If last year was an Oreo cookie, Boyd missed the creme filling with a knee injury – and his stats (22 catches, 225 yards) showed it. But he more than doubled those numbers in 2016, so the ability is there. Quarterback Andy Dalton’s biggest problem is going to be choosing among them. Oh darn again.

RUNNING BACK

Names: Giovanni Bernard, Joe Mixon, Mark Walton, Brian Hill, Tra Carson

The one-two punch of Bernard and Mixon should get Cincinnati Bengals fans primed. Bernard has been versatile, averaging 580 yards rushing and 412 receiving per season over the last five years. That’s balance.

Mixon has a different kind of balance. The kind that involves you losing yours as he flattens you. At 6’1”, the 228-lb Mixon can get the tough yards between the tackles. His first-year numbers (913 yards from scrimmage) were pretty similar to Bernard’s career averages, so there shouldn’t be a dropoff when one subs for the other. And Mixon’s totals will only go up as he spends more time in the league and gets better line play in front of him.

Rookie Walton, like Mixon, is young with tons of upside. If the Cincy brass are smart enough to keep both of them, then in the coming years, the team will have the best R&B duo since Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross soothed audiences everywhere with “Endless Love.”

CORNERBACK

Names: Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson, Dre Kirkpatrick, KeiVarae Russell, Davontae Harris, Darius Phillips, Tony McRae

The top 3 corners are all first round draft picks (Dennard, Jackson, Kirkpatrick). That tells you something about the talent. Plus, Kirkpatrick is the oldest at only 28 years old. That tells you something about the future.

Kirk defended 14 passes last year (the second most of his career), made 47 tackles and returned his sole interception 101 yards. Note how we didn’t say returned for a TD (just watch the video). Only in Cincinnati could a guy run further than 100 yards and not score a touchdown.

Dennard played in all 16 games last year and started 6 of them. He made the most of the time, picking off two passes and logging 59 tackles and 2 sacks. As a rookie, Jackson started 5 games, defended 13 passes and returned his lone interception 75 yards for a score.

None of these numbers are necessarily All-Pro, but Cincinnati Bengals fans can rest easy that a broken ankle doesn’t break the season.

Farewell George Iloka

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What does the release mean for the Bengals going forward?

As a Bengals fan I would like to start by saying, thank you 43. Since being drafted back in 2012, you have been a key leader to this defense both on and off the field. You have been a guy who is fun to cheer for. We wish you the best of luck moving forward in your career.

As many of you know, news broke on Sunday that the Bengals released veteran safety, George Iloka. It is being called a financial decision by all those involved, as the deal saves $18 million over the next three years. This could mean big extensions coming for guys like Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, and maybe even Darqueze Dennard, who are all set to hit free agency after this year.

Jessie Bates
The initial reaction to the release is “who is starting week 1?”, and that should be second round pick Jessie Bates. Bates becomes the immediate favorite to win the job after Marvin Lewis hinted at this last week. Lewis stated in a press conference, “We have been pushing him in early, and you want to see him take command when he has to take command,” Lewis said. ”He could end up being the guy back there real quick. You have to keep urging Jessie to move forward.” It is possible Lewis was referring to the release of Iloka last week due to the play of Bates.

The Bengals do not normally bring rookies in and let them start right away, even if they should. The Bengals have been known for making rookies wait behind veterans, so it is an unusual move by the Bengals which shows just how confident they are in Bates. Many thought he would rotate in with Iloka and Shawn Williams, or play in three safety sets, but no one thought he could be the week one starter.

Who’s next?
This is now the second move by the Bengals this year in which they have let a veteran option go in favor of the young player. We saw Brandon LaFell cut early in camp because of guys like Tyler Boyd, John Ross, and Josh Malone. Now we see Iloka cut in favor of Bates. It raises the question, if Iloka was cut to save money, will the Bengals next cut Michael Johnson who would save them the same amount of money. Johnson should be feeling the pressure, with guys like Carl Lawson, Jordan Willis, and Sam Hubbard all playing very well behind him. With two weeks left of preseason I do not believe that the Bengals are done making moves.

But does this make sense?
As of now this looks like it was simply done to make money to pay guys who are of more importance to the defense. If they believe Bates can fill in and it helps us resign guys like Dunlap or Geno, then I think it does make sense. The team does not normally make these types of moves, so maybe it’s a sign they are finally going to use their cap space wisely. However, if they don’t get anyone signed with this money I think it was a bonehead move. Only time will tell, but it is now time to put all eyes on Jessie Bates and see how he continues to play the rest of preseason.

As always follow me on twitter @Pierson242FF. I am always down to talk anything Bengals or fantasy related!

The 2018 Bengals Wide Receivers

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Embed from Getty ImagesThe 2018 Cincinnati Bengals should be a much different looking team in 2018 than what we saw in 2017. A key factor in this is offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Lazor took over last year mid season after the Bengals got off to a horrible start. With a full offseason to work with the offense, we should see a huge bump in the Cincinnati offense. A big part of that will be the help of a loaded wide receiver room. Here’s a look at the expected depth chart for the 2018 Bengals wide receiver core.

  1. A.J. Green – ​This will come as a surprise to no one, as A.J. Green has been the Bengal’s number one guy since being drafted 4th overall by the Bengals in 2011. Green struggled a bit in 2017, as much as the Bengal’s offense did, but still posted over 1,000 yards receiving. Green has been on record stating he was frustrated with his play last year and felt it was one of his worst seasons as a pro. Now with a new offensive coordinator, an improved offensive line, and a chip on his shoulder to get back into the conversation of the league’s best wide receiver, A.J. Green could explode and rebound in a big way for Bengal’s fans.

  2. Tyler Boyd – ​The third year man out of Pitt has seen an up and down start to his career. As a rookie, Boyd eclipsed 600 yards receiving and looked like the true WR2 on this team behind Green. Boyd would struggle last year, in large due to injuries, playing just 10 games. He ended the year on a high note when he caught the game winning touchdown to knock the Ravens out of the playoffs. I’m listing Boyd as the number two because I think he benefits most from the departure of Brandon LaFell. Boyd excels from the slot, he caught 21 of 27 passes from the slot in 2017 for two touchdowns. The reason his success in the slot is important is because of how Bill Lazor has used the slot in the past. Lazor was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2014 and 2015. Lazor utilized Jarvis Landry, one of the league’s best slot receivers, from the slot where Landry posted 1,915 yards and 9 touchdowns during this two year span. While it isn’t a guarantee, there is a chance we see Boyd used similar to how Landry was used under Lazor. If he is in fact utilized in a similar way, he could instantly become the second most important receiver behind Green.
  1. John Ross – ​A lot of people are still scratching their heads from when the Bengals elected to take John Ross ninth overall in the 2017 draft. Ross didn’t do much to change the minds of these people, as he had zero receptions and one carry resulting in a fumble in 2017. His season was a waste and he was labeled a “bust” by most. Ross later admitted to a shoulder injury he was not disclosing which may have played a factor in his poor performance last year. But that is behind him now, Ross is back with a vengeance and he is showing it everyday at camp. Ross has been one of the most talked about players in camp, with highlight reel catches almost everyday. Ross has impressed to the point where the Bengals released veteran wideout Brandon LaFell. Ross had a good showing in his first preseason action against the Bears, showing his elite speed on a play he turned into a 20 yard gain when it appeared it would have only been five. Speed and athleticism is not the issue with Ross, it is his durability. If he can stay healthy he should see favorable matchups this year with teams focusing more on A.J. Green and Joe Mixon.

  2. Josh Malone – ​Malone is a guy I’m really starting to like this year and I think could see a decent amount of playing time. Malone has been putting together a very solid camp and looked great in action against the Bears. He hauled in 3 receptions for 41 yards, with one being a beautiful catch near the sideline where he extended and drug his toes. Malone should take a big year two step and become a very good bench player for the Bengals. I do not think Malone has the skill set to over for anyone listed above him, but as a fourth wide receiver for the Bengals, I am very excited for him.

  3. Auden Tate – ​Auden Tate is the biggest riser, from a seventh round pick who many thought wouldn’t even make the team, to one of the most talked about players of training camp. Tate is playing very well and turning a lot of heads. Tate fell to the seventh round in the draft, his biggest knock being his speed as he has never been a guy to burn you down the field. However, as he’s showing in camp, he doesn’t have to be. One spot we could see Tate specialize is in the red zone. Tate is a physical freak, standing at 6’5” tall. Pairing him and Tyler Eifert in the red zone could be a nightmare for defenses. Tate is on his way to making an impact on this offense this upcoming season.

  4. Alex Erickson – ​I’m predicting Erickson to win the last receiver spot over Cody Core primarily due to Erickson’s return ability. Alex has been a fairly effective return man for the Bengals the last two years. And with no one else stepping up to challenge him for this spot, it is likely he is safe due to being the expected starting return man. He caught one touchdown in 2017 for the Bengals along with 12 catches, so do not expect him to make a very big impact on offense. Cody Core has also just not provided much for the Bengals, so it is very unlikely Core wins the last spot.

Outside of A.J. Green obviously, the two biggest names to watch this year will be John Ross and Tyler Boyd. They will both be fighting for that WR2 spot behind A.J. Green and should be interesting to see who ends up the more productive of the two. It is also possible they both end up having great seasons and take over as the teams 2A and 2B due to their different skill sets and what they bring to the offense.

Andy Dalton should have plenty of pass catching options this year with what looks to be a very promising group of receivers. It isn’t so long ago when he had A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, and Mohamed Sanu and that is when he had one of his best years as a pro. Factor in the running backs and tight ends to throw to and we could see Daltons best year as a pro in 2018.

Follow me on twitter @Pierson242FF for all things Cincinnati Bengals! Be sure to tweet me any Bengals related questions and comments. Who Dey!

Bengals To Watch In Preseason Week 1

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The Bengals play the Chicago Bears in preseason game number 1. Below are key players to keep an eye on during the game.

1. Billy Price – Center – A lot of people will say that the Bengals were targeting Frank Ragnow with their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but as many of you know he was taken just ahead of the Bengals pick by the Detroit Lions. The Bengals ended up with former Ohio State center, Billy Price instead. Price injured himself at the 2018 combine, hurting his draft stock, but is back healthy and expected to start right away for the Bengals offensive line. Price has been struggling with getting clean snaps to Andy Dalton all during training camp. Price is sure to be the “center” of attention on offense tonight, as he is expected to start with the first team.

2. Joe Mixon – Running Back – The Bengals 2017 second round pick is facing tall orders this year with high expectations from inside and outside the organization. Mixon struggled as a rookie, in large part to the offensive line, but showed flashes of greatness throughout the year. Now, as the unquestioned starter, and Jeremy Hill gone to New England, Mixon is expected to be the Bengals three down bell cow. Mixon is also setting big goals for himself for 2018, when asked if he has his touchdown dances ready he responded, “I have one for every game”. Bengals fans everywhere will be hoping he can showcase 16 touchdown dances this year.

3. Cedric Ogbuehi vs. Bobby Hart – Right Tackle – The Bengals spent a first round pick on Ogbuehi back in 2015, and up until now has been a bust for the Bengals. The New York Giants used a seventh round pick on Hart in the same draft. Now, in 2018, both will be battling it out for the right tackle position on the Cincy o-line. This is one of the key position battles to watch during the preseason. For now, Hart is being listed as the starter but coach Marvin Lewis eluded that there is no official first team yet, which means the right tackle spot is still up for grabs. Expect Hart to start tonight, with Ogbuehi expected to get a lot of time with the second team.

4. John Ross – Wide Receiver – It would be impossible to write this without mentioning former first round pick John Ross. After a disastrous rookie campaign, Ross is back healthy and turning heads in camp. So much in fact that the Bengals released veteran Brandon LaFell. Ross is now expected to be the Bengals WR2 and line up on the outside opposite of AJ Green, replacing LaFell. With Green pulling the safety to his side of the field, Ross could see favorable one on one matchups this year. With no lack of speed or pedigree, Ross could
be the missing piece to pull the Bengals back to the top of the NFL ranks. He will be the number one fan favorite to watch tonight.

Follow me on Twitter @Pierson242FF for fantasy football news, and all things Bengals!

Which 3 Cincinnati Bengals Players Cannot Get Injured in 2018?

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How would The Godfather have turned out if the understudies had taken over for Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan? Answer: Unwatchable.

That’s a good word to associate with the Cincinnati Bengals if they lose these players to season-ending injuries in 2018. The stars can get the job done, but if the backups have to replace them at some point, we’ll be flipping to other channels, hoping they made Godfather IV: Corleones on Patrol and we somehow missed it in the theater.

Cincinnati Bengals Players We Pray Aren’t Lost to Injury This Year

Andy Dalton: We’ll start here because this one is the biggest and most obvious. Simply put, if we lose Dalton, we lose the season. When AJ McCarron was the backup, we might not have been so quick to make that statement. But unprovens and semi-provens are lining the bench with Matt Barkley, Jeff Driskel, and Logan Woodside (and we’ll likely lose one in the cut).

Barkley has the most experience, though he’s on his sixth stop in the NFL. Yes, he can play quarterback, but how much confidence does that thought instill in you, or the Cincinnati Bengals offense? It’s like telling your fellow 747 passengers not to worry – if the crew gets food poisoning, you’ll take over because you’ve beaten Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation on your Xbox One.

Driskel is in his third year in the league, but has been injured most of his college and pro careers. Rookie Woodside is 6’2”, 213 pounds and enjoys movies, Chinese food, and long walks on the beach at sunset.

One or more of them could very well turn out to be a quality player. But not in 2018.

AJ Green
Even though Green plays at a position with some depth, we fear an injury to him because ….. well, he’s AJ Green. Losing him would mean “Time to step up, newbies!” instead of “Oh no, what are we going to do now?!” (read: QB) – and neither of those options is good for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Tyler Boyd is a third-year guy who has 76 career catches for 828 yards. He would definitely assume an even larger role in the offense if Green was out. Let’s just hope he has a ride to the game.

John Ross is healthy and turning heads in camp. Cody Core is a third-year guy with good size (6’3”) who played in 13 games last year (though he did not record a reception). Josh Malone was having a good training camp but must rest his recently-tweaked hamstring. They can all pitch in to cover the potential loss of Green ……. we hope.

Geno Atkins
You probably know how we feel about a Geno-Atkins-less defensive line. The concern is the same as for the QB and WR positions: Young players behind them on the depth chart.

Atkins is a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Backup Ryan Glasgow is a second-year, fourth-round draft pick with 23 career tackles. That gap should tell you something.

Backup-backup Chris Baker is a journeyman who is on his fifth team in 10 years. Backup-backup-backup Chris Okoye is big on size (6’6”, 320), but small on college and experience (Ferris State, rookie).