Fantasy Football 2017: Cincinnati Bengals outlook
Going into the NFL Draft, we’ll be assessing the fantasy assets of every team. We’ll cover past performances and look ahead for 2017 potential. After a poor year, can the Bengals rebound and provide some fantasy gold?
Andy Dalton
Dalton followed up perhaps his best NFL campaign in 2015 with a mediocre performance last year (which wasn’t purely his fault), throwing only 18 touchdowns as Cincinnati had their worst season since 2010. He performed consistently well as a fantasy asset, scoring at least 14 fantasy points in every game of the year and finishing as a top-12 fantasy quarterback, but didn’t offer a tremendous amount of “upside” (no more than 26.3 points in a game).
He will be boosted by the return of A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard from injury, and is a great late-round option this season.
Jeremy Hill
It is an odd time for role-dependent backs in fantasy football, as we’re due for a huge talent infusion at the position in this year’s draft. Hill, and his Bengals backfield-mate Bernard, play opposing “thunder and lighting” roles; both of which could be rendered moot if an all-round talent joins the fray. Could it be Joe Mixon?
The big back has relied on remarkably consistent volume (rushing attempts of 222, 223 and 222 in the last three seasons) and goal-line scoring (nine-plus touchdowns in all three), but has only mustered 3.8 and 3.6 yards-per-carry averages in his past two years. The writing could be on the wall for the under-performing fourth-year player.
Giovani Bernard
When both he and Hill are on the field and healthy, they both benefit, but neither have the ability to do it all themselves. It seems more likely that the team drafts a “runner” and Bernard maintains his pass-catching role than a player similar to him being added. However, we’ll have to keep a close eye on Bernard’s health.
He is an extremely useful player in PPR leagues, but might not be worth holding on your rosters for an extended period of time if he isn’t ready to go on day one. In non-PPR, don’t touch him.
A.J. Green
By week 11, Green was only 36 yards away from joining Randy Moss as the only receivers to have 1,000 yards in their first six seasons, before he suffered a nasty hamstring injury and missed the remainder of the year. He’s an elite fantasy asset, and worth drafting at every opportunity. In 2016, seven of his nine games amounted to 14.8 points or more, including three of over 30. Purely on a points-per-game basis, he was tied for fifth with Julio Jones. Draft him early, and reap the benefits.
Tyler Eifert
How much credence can you give to “talent” and “potential” when it hasn’t come to fruition? How patient should you be? In his first four seasons in the league, the 21st-overall pick from 2013 has missed 27 games, including half of 2016. In points-per-game, he was top seven in 2016 and top five in 2015, so it’s clear he has what it takes when on the field. But how often can he be there? Tight end is a position where Eifert is worth the gamble, because it’s easier to find replacement level production late and from the waiver wire during the season; so take a chance on his difference-making ability.
The Best of the Rest
Tyler Boyd, once revered as a top college wideout prospect as a youngster, might take some time to adapt to the league but could develop into a decent second option in the mold of Marvin Jones or Mohamed Sanu. Brandon LaFell might have won some fantasy Championships in 2016 with some great performances, but likely won’t repeat it with Green’s return. Draft these two as bench-fillers, but not with ambition.