Winning only seven games isn't something that should be expected from a team with as much talent as the Bengals. The problem is that all of their talent is on the offensive side of the ball.
That's bad news for Bengals fans, but it is good news for fantasy football fans. They have an explosive offense with arguably the best receiving tandem in the NFL when "ocho-cinco" isn't being "ocho-stinko".
They have revamped their defensive front seven and are looking to turn around a declining franchise before it falls too far. So how does that affect their fantasy value?
QB
Carson Palmer
Palmer has done a great job of staying healthy over the past three years, and has put up solid fantasy numbers each of those years. There is a trend to his success though, in each of the last three years he has thrown for more yards than the previous year, but fewer touchdowns. That trend will more than likely continue this season.
Palmer completes a high percentage of his passes and is a smart passer despite leading the league in interceptions (20) last season. Don't put too much stock in that though since it was the only time he has thrown over 15 interceptions since his rookie season
The defense is notorious for their bad pass coverage, which will lead to high scoring games where Palmer rakes in the fantasy points (i.e. September 16, 2007 @ Cleveland)
RB
Rudi Johnson/Kenny Watson
Odds are that the Bengals' running game will be overlooked by opposing defenses in favor of defending against the pass. It could also be overlooked because neither backs performed up to starting running back standards last year. Injuries held back Johnson, and Watson doesn't have enough speed. As a tandem however, they can be solid.
If Johnson can bounce back to his 2005 or 2006 self, he will be a steal in the draft. It is more probable however that he will split time with Watson and be a solid No.3 fantasy back. He is better in short yardage situations than Watson is, which will most likely lead to more goal line carries and touchdowns.
Watson fits the role of a third down back relatively well due to his reliable hands. On the other hand, he struggled with third down running situations last season. If he improves on that, or Rudi gets hurt, his fantasy value will increase. As it stands, he can be considered a No. 4 or No. 5 fantasy back.
WR/TE
Chad Johnson/T.J. Houshmandzadeh/Ben Utecht
Johnson and Housh are a tremendous "1-2 punch". Johnson is the deep threat while T.J. is a great possession receiver. That isn't to say that each one couldn't do the other, but it is what they are best at.
Johnson typically gains more yards than Housh, but brings in less touchdowns. As a result Chad has less fantasy value. His lingering ankle injury could reduce his value further, but probably not much if at all. I would consider him one of the best No.2 receivers in fantasy football, but if he won't put up top ten fantasy receiver points.
Housh on the other hand, will put up top ten fantasy receiver points. He seems to have developed a good reputation with Palmer and has very reliable hands. He is also in a contract year, and will be playing for a big time deal.
1 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Chris Hester 11 months ago
Calling All Bleacher Report "Fantasy Experts"
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