2012 Team Outlook: Cincinnati
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, PHI - Quality Backup
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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, PIT - Not Draft Worthy
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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, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
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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 Dan Herron, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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Dan Herron was drafted by the Bengals in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Herron will have to show the Bengals something in training camp, and is not a lock to make the roster to start the season. Fantasy owners should not consider drafting Herron, as he is buried on the Bengals depth chart.
RB Brian Leonard, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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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.
RB Bernard Scott, --- - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
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Bernard Scott always seems be hyped as a sleeper in the off-season, but has yet to live up to these predictions on the field. The inconsistent running back was unable to overtake Cedric Benson as the Bengals' starting running back in years past, and will now have to try to overtake BenJarvus Green-Ellis for playing time in the Cincinnati backfield. Scott does have big play ability, but he will need to have a strong training camp and preseason to earn the playing time necessary to be a factor in fantasy leagues.
WR A.J. Green, --- - Stud (low risk)
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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 Marvin Jones, --- - Dynasty Only
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Rookie Marvin Jones could be a surprise starter for the Bengals in 2012. The 5th round pick will be given the opportunity to compete for snaps with fellow rookie Mohamed Sanu and Jordan Shipley. This is a situation to watch during training camp; if Jones does win a starting spot, he could be worth drafting in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
WR Mohamed Sanu, --- - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
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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.
WR Armon Binns, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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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 Jordan Shipley, --- - Deep-league Only
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Jordan Shipley is the favorite to win the slot receiver role for the Bengals this season. Shipley was injured in week two of the 2011 season and missed the remainder of the season. The young receiver showed promise as a rookie, but with A.J. Green, Jermaine Gresham, and Mohamed Sanu in the fold, Shipley will struggle to put up the same numbers he did as a rookie. Shipley is only worth a draft pick in deeper leagues.
TE Orson Charles, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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Rookie Orson Charles will compete with Donald Lee and Colin Cochart for the backup tight end role with the Bengals this season. Charles has the skill set to develop into a solid backup, but it may take time for him to see the field. Charles may be draftable down the road in fantasy leagues, but stay away from him this season.
TE Jermaine Gresham, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
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Jermaine Gresham improved in his second NFL season, but will need to make another jump to be a reliable every week fantasy starter. Gresham caught 56 passes in 2011, but only averaged 10.6 yards per reception, while adding six touchdowns. It would be nice to see more big plays out of Gresham, but for now his upside is a low end TE1 for the coming season.
PK Mike Nugent, --- - Bye Week Fill-in
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Mike Nugent is coming off his best season as a pro, but is still only a middle of the road kicker for the upcoming fantasy season. Nugent is unlikely to match his numbers from 2011 in which he kicked 33 successful field goals, thus leaving him likely to be a bye week fill-in in fantasy leagues.
Cincinnati - Bye Week Fill-in
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The Bengals defense is another middle of the pack squad that can be used in a good match-up, or if your starting defense has a bye week. The Bengals drafted Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round of the NFL Draft and should have an improved secondary this season. Leave the Bengals on the waiver wire, and look to pick them up when a good match-up presents itself. A few good matchups do present themselves for the Bengals defense early in the season, with a tougher schedule later on.