Cincinnati Bengals Week 2 Stock Report
As a whole, the stock market says the Cincinnati Bengals are on the upswing in a big way.
It's not hard to see why, not after the organization bucked history and traveled west to put a 33-13 hurting on the Oakland Raiders in Week 1, where the 13 allowed points came in the final frame while the Bengals played their backups.
Still, there are risers and fallers in the aftermath of the contest as the Bengals turn to look toward an encounter with the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium. Some players sit on a downswing after poor performances or lesser usage than anticipated. The inverse is true for risers.
Within, let's examine the stock market surrounding the team as it preps for San Diego, keeping these things in mind when game day arrives.
Stock Up: Tyler Eifert, TE
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Does this really need an explanation?
Going into 2015, most who knew anything about the Bengals understood Eifert would play a major role in the offense. It was something the staff tried last year, but had cut short due to Eifert's elbow injury.
Last Sunday, though, most couldn't have predicted Eifert would be the focal point of the offense. He was, receiving a team-high target mark with 12, four better than A.J. Green. He converted the opportunities into nine grabs for 104 yards and two scores.
Eifert won't be the target leader every week, especially as some defenses will be better prepared to handle him. Regardless, it's safe to say his stock is on the rise thanks to a better-than-expected performance.
Stock Down: Rex Burkhead, RB
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So much for all the hype surrounding Rex Burkhead.
Burkhead was one of the preseason's biggest winners, gaining nice yardage as a rusher and showing up in the slot as a wide receiver. The usage hinted the coaching staff wanted him to have a bigger role this season.
Instead, Burkhead played just four offensive snaps against Oakland, per charting at Pro Football Focus. In areas perhaps suited to his skill set, the coaching staff still deferred to Giovani Bernard, who played 26 snaps.
It's not the end of the world for Burkhead by any means. He showed in exhibitions he can contribute. It appears the usage was more of a prove-it deal, though, as opposed to a hint he would see plenty of snaps in 2015.
Stock Up: Adam Jones, CB
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The talk surrounding corner Adam Jones right now centers on an ugly scuffle with Oakland wideout Amari Cooper.
It's right to receive attention, but the lack of kudos Jones seems to receive for his play continues to look glaring. Jones posted the best game of any Cincinnati defender this past Sunday and continues to excel as the team's best cornerback.
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther offered his thoughts, per ESPN.com's Coley Harvey: "DC Paul Guenther scolded Adam Jones' brush in with Amari Cooper, but felt he still had 'probably one of his best games as a Bengal.'"
Jones continues to fly under the radar as one of the league's more underrated corners. He's a key presence for the Bengals on the outside and a focal point in the coming weeks.
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Stock Down: Marvin Jones, WR
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Cincinnati got Marvin Jones back for the first time since 2013 Sunday against Oakland, but with Eifert putting in so much work and Green still soaking up targets, he didn't have a chance to do much.
Jones finished with just three targets, tied with Mohamed Sanu for fourth on the team. Of those he caught two for 19 yards.
There isn't any doubt Jones is the same player who caught 51 passes for 712 yards and 10 scores in 2013. The offense has evolved since then, though, and it's clear the California product's usage will deviate in dramatic fashion based on the matchup.
Again, not the end of the world, but Jones won't be a focal point of the offense on a week-to-week basis like he somewhat was in his second campaign.
Stock Up: Chris Carter, DE
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One batch of preseason hype that came true?
Gem of a free-agent find Chris Carter played a healthy amount of snaps at defensive end against Oakland in passing situations, totaling 19 snaps at PFF.
Carter looked good as a rusher, too, and it's clear he has a defined role on the unit for the time being when an end such as Wallace Gilberry kicks inside on passing downs.
Granted, this role may change a bit when Margus Hunt gets healthy, but for now it's clear the coaching staff trusts Carter's athleticism to disrupt a quarterback's timing.
Proof that depth is effective is never a bad thing in the first week of a season.
Stock Down: Domata Peko, DT
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Cincinnati veteran defensive tackle Domata Peko got the start in Oakland Sunday, but signs point to having a reduced role in 2015.
Peko registered a minus-1.2 grade at PFF while playing 29 snaps. For comparison's sake, Gilberry played 42 snaps while sometimes helping at tackle, and Pat Sims played 18 in relief.
To be fair, the flow of the game might have dictated Peko's snap count. Oakland played from behind all day, necessitating a passing attack in an effort to make a comeback. The coaching staff takes Peko off the field when it wants to better generate a rush.
Still, it's something to watch moving forward. Peko is a captain, but his usage might not hit their usual rates this season.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of September 15. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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