The Bengals playoff streak of not winning a game ended last year because they failed to qualify for the playoffs but coach Marvin Lewis remains. Lots of veterans won't be back so the Bengals will rely on the 11 rookies from the draft. The Bengals could compete for a wild card spot but no playoffs is more likely.
Arrivals/Departures:
Arrivals: Bene Benwikere, Kevin Minter, Andre Smith
Departures: Rex Burkhead, Karlos Dansby, Margus Hunt, Rey Maualuga, Mike Nugent, Domata Peko, Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler
Offence:
Andy Dalton will play quarterback again for the Bengals after taking a step down last season from his career year the season before. Dalton is not a top-tier quarterback nor a bottom quarterback; while he can win games there are lots better at his position. AJ McCarron is an above-average backup though. The running game will be good with the trio of Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Joe Mixon taking snaps. If Mixon can fix his off-the-field problems he could be a great player. AJ Green remains a top-five receiver. Even after missing the last part of the season with an injury, he should be back and dominating games again.
The Bengals selected John Ross from Washington ninth overall in the draft and he has wheels as he set the draft combine 40-yard dash record. Brandon LaFell will be the third receiver of the group with Tyler Boyd behind him trying to have a successful sophomore campaign after a bad rookie season. If Tyler Eifert can stay healthy, he is one of the best tight ends giving Dalton another great weapon to shred defences. With the departure of one of the best left tackles in Andrew Whitworth and guard Kevin Zeitler, the offensive line looks weak. Cedric Ogbuehi, Clint Boling, Russell Bodine, Andre Smith and Jake Fisher will all need to improve.
Defence:
Geno Atkins can take over games on the defensive line on his own stuffing up the middle of the field and with Carlos Dunlap rushing off the edge it is a hard tandem to stop. Michael Johnson starts opposite Dunlap with Andrew Billings and Pat Sims sharing snaps beside Geno Atkins. Vontaze Burfict is known for his aggressive over-the-top style of play - and his meltdown vs the Steelers two years ago - but with all that aside he is the best linebacker on the team. Newcomer Kevin Minter will start as well as reliable Vincent Ray with Nick Vigil and Marquis Flowers competing for playing time. In the secondary, Dre Kirkpatrick - fresh off an extension - teams up with loud-mouth Adam Jones to form a good corner back tandem. Pacman Jones is a good player but his emotions get the best of him and with him and Burfict on the field together lots of flags can fly. George Iloka and Shawn Williams will be the starting safeties.
Special Teams:
Starters:
Offence
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Defence
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AJ Green
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Carlos Dunlap
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Brandon LaFell
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Andrew Billings
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John Ross
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Geno Atkins
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Cedric Ogbuehi
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Michael Johnson
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Clint Boling
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Vincent Rey
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Russell Bodine
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Kevin Minter
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Andre Smith
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Vontaze Burfict
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Jake Fisher
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Dre Kirkpatrick
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Tyler Eifert
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Shawn Williams
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Andy Dalton
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George Iloka
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Jeremy Hill
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Adam Jones
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2017 Draft:
9. John Ross
48. Joe Mixon
73. Jordan Willis
116. Carl Lawson
129. Josh Malone
139. Ryan Glasgow
154. Jake Elliott
178. JJ Dielman
195. Jordan Evans
209. Brandon Wilson
254. Mason Schreck
Top 10 Players:
10. Dre Kirkpatrick
9. John Ross
8. Jeremy Hill
7. Adam Jones
6. Vontaze Burfict
5. Carlos Dunlap
4. Andy Dalton
3. Tyler Eifert
2. Geno Atkins
1. AJ Green
Season Prediction: 6-10 (3rd in AFC North)
Last Year: 6-9-1
Photo credit for Andre Smith goes to http://www.vikings.com/. AJ Green and Andy Dalton goes to http://www.espn.com/. Vontaze Burfict goes to http://www.cbssports.com/.
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