Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense will not be a fantasy powerhouse this season, but a few good options do present themselves. Quarterback Andy Dalton has the upside to be a fantasy starter, while second year wide receiver A.J. Green should be a top ten fantasy receiver this season. Jermaine Gresham is a solid, yet unspectacular tight end option, while the rest of the Bengals offensive weapons are unproven in the roles they will take on this season. Rookies Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones will have opportunities to crack the starting lineup, while BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be the team's starting running back.
QB Andy Dalton (QB - #19) - Quality Backup
Coming off an impressive rookie season, Andy Dalton will need to take another step forward if he is to become a fantasy starter this season. Dalton formed a great bond with fellow rookie A.J. Green last season, but will need another wide receiver to step up to take the focus off Green and Jermaine Gresham. The Bengals hope to have found this option in rookie Mohamed Sanu, or returning slot receiver Jordan Shipley. Fantasy owners can draft Dalton as a solid QB2, while knowing that he has the potential to be a match-up play throughout the season.
QB Bruce Gradkowski (QB - #55) - Not Draft Worthy
Bruce Gradkowski will enter the 2012 season as the Bengals' backup quarterback. The veteram quarterback is a mid level NFL backup, and if anything were to happen to Andy Dalton, the Bengals skill position players would take a hit in their fantasy value. Gradkowski should not be drafted in any fantasy league; if Dalton were to be injured, better options could be found on the waiver wire.
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (RB - #22) - Solid/Safe Pick
BenJarvus Green-Ellis should be the Bengals' starting running back for the 2012 season. The former Patriot signed a three year deal with the Bengals this off-season; with Cedric Benson unlikely to return to Cincinnati, his only competition for carries will come from Bernard Scott. While Green-Ellis is not the playmaker that Scott is, he is a solid ball carrier who has scored 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Green-Ellis should touch the ball enough to make him a low end RB2 or Flex play in fantasy leagues.
RB Brian Leonard (RB - #96) - Not Draft Worthy
Brian Leonard will serve as a third down back for the Bengals this season. The Bengals value Leonard for his blocking and pass catching ability, but he is not fantasy relevant. Leonard has scored just two touchdowns in his five NFL seasons, and has not touched the ball more than 60 times in any of this three seasons with the Bengals.
WR A.J. Green (WR - #3) - Stud (low risk)
As good as A.J. Green was in his rookie season, he possesses the talent to be even better going forward. Green has been working out with fellow stud receivers Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald this off-season, and will look to build on an impressive rookie season with Andy Dalton. The young star would benefit from the emergence of a second reliable wide receiver in the Bengals offense, but even without one Green should be a borderline top ten fantasy receiver this season.
WR Armon Binns (WR - #90) - Not Draft Worthy
Armon Binns has practiced himself into having a chance to win a role on the Bengals offense this season. Binns has been getting rave reviews after his performance at OTAs, and with the Bengals wide receiver depth chart uncertain at the moment, there is a shot that he can get himself on the field when the regular season starts. Binns is not on the fantasy radar at the moment, but if he continues to impress during training camp, he could be worth a last round flier pick.
WR Mohamed Sanu (WR - #120) - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
Rookie Mohamed Sanu will have a chance to start opposite A.J. Green this season. Sanu is a possession receiver who could be the perfect compliment across from Green. The rookie's playing time this season will greatly depend on how quickly he can adapt to the NFL game, and whether he can beat out Jordan Shipley and fellow rookie Marvin Jones for targets. Sanu has the chance to be a fantasy sleeper this season, especially in point per reception leagues.
Injury Status: Injured Reserve
