Jeremy Hill and the ground game will be vital for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
The Dolphins will arrive at Paul Brown Stadium to begin Week 4 of the 2016 NFL season with the league’s 31st-ranked run defense. It’s a terrific opportunity for Hill to spark what has been a sluggish Cincy rushing attack into life.
But he’s not the only Bengal who can help the hosts rebound from two-straight defeats. Here are the top fantasy football options for this matchup from both rosters.
5. Dion Sims
A key injury means Dion Sims has an excellent chance to showcase his underrated array of skills and prove his value to the Miami offense. Sims should feature because the Dolphins will be without regular tight end Jordan Cameron:
Jordan Cameron will miss Thursday night's game after suffering a concussion yesterday. https://t.co/h7s2bOMmdC
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 26, 2016
It’s a chance for a player with the size and athleticism to be a match-up nightmare to torment the Cincinnati defense. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 271 pounds, Sims is the kind of big body safeties and slot defenders can’t handle over the middle.
He’s also quick enough out of his break to pose a problem for the Bengals’ plodding linebackers, even if Vontaze Burfict is back from suspension.
There’s something reminiscent of Ben Coates about the way Sims plays. He just needs the ball to prove it. He’d also be helped by Miami head coach Adam Gase getting more creative with how he deploys No. 80. He must move Sims around formations to isolate physically overmatched defenders in coverage.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been talking up Sims’ ability to make an impact, per ESPN‘s James Walker. But now isn’t the time for talk. Instead, it’s the time to just get Sims the damn ball.