The Bengals continue to be fantasy football gold with a high-flying, pass-happy offense and a mediocre defense … mediocre at least until we see how new defensive coordinator Al Golden works without the team’s best pass rusher.

For now, DE Trey Hendrickson and the team are at an impasse for a long-term deal. Hendrickson is under contract for this season but he has said he will not play under the current deal even though he signed it in good faith.

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Transactions

July 23: Released RB Zack Moss.

July 31: Signted TE Noah Fant. Waived TE Kole Taylor.

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Draft Picks on Offense

RB Tahj Brooks is getting strong vibes as a solid backup to RB Chase Brown, who isn’t the prototypical workhouse running back. Brown was great in 2024 but many do not believe he can be a 300-touch player. So that leaves a some touches for Brooks, RB Samaje. Brooks is obviously a good selection in rookie drafts. He has burst and if he can learn the offense will be a good late pick.

Draft Picks on Defense

DE Shemar Stewart and LB Demetrius Knight Jr. could earn time on defense. Stewart and his usage could depend on the Hendrickson extension. His usage would be more effective with Hendrickson than without. Knight and LB Barrett Carter are in unknown territory. The Bengals used just two linebackers in previous years under Lou Anarumo but it has yet to be determined how many linebackers will be used by Golden. The thought is it could be three linebackers which leaves time on the field for players behind LB Logan Wilson.

Draft Picks on Special Teams

There is a long snapper in the mix but nothing to report here from a fantasy standpoint.

Fantasy Outlook

QB Joe Burrow is one of the best fantasy football quarterbacks in the league. Rushing upside is the only thing keeping him from being the overall top quarterback. If he stays healthy, though, he will post dominant numbers. He was surgical like in his preseason debut, completing 9 of 10 passes for 123 yards and two scores. Now it was not against the Philadelphia first team defense but had he been average or worse, the sky would have fallen, so it was good to see Burrow be great.

QB Jake Browning was the anti-Burrow, going 6-14 for 62 yards and a pick.

QB Desmond Ridder was solid, going 7-16 for 91 yards and a touchdown. Ridder is more physically talented than Browning but right now the team probably trusts Browning more should something happen to Burrow. Still Ridder and Browning are great long-term flyers either to trade to the Burrow owner for peace of mind or to use if something happens to Burrow behind what is being deemed a less than suspect offensive line.

RB Chase Brown was a top 12 running back last season and should get the opportunity again this coming season. Behind him RB Tahj Brooks and RB Samaje Perine will have their moments but it isn’t likely any of them would be anything other than an injury-related handcuff to Brown. My pick would be Brooks just because he could be next up after Brown is gone from the Bengals. In the preseason game, Brooks received 10 carries and Brown six but Cincinnati ran the ball only 19 times for 57 yards while throwing it 40 times.

One thing I would say is the team had RB Gary Brightwell carry three times along with kickoff returns. I can’t believe Brightwell is the fourth running back on this team. None of the others on the roster excite be so a free agent signing or a minor trade wouldn’t be surprising.

WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins are locks – Chase as the top wideout and Higgins as a top 12 finisher. WR Andrei Iosivas is the presumed third wide receiver option on the team but WR Jermaine Burton has been getting big buzz this offseason and how he has turned things around in his non-football life and is heading in the right direction with the team and could contribute in a big way. Burton has more talent than Iosivas so only time will tell if Burton can overtake Iosivas as the third wideout. Iosivas has gotten bigger and stronger and is a great blocker which will earn him time on the field in key moments. It could be both Burton and Iosivas play in certain situationsl and get just enough looks to be fantasy frustrating. But both could be one injury away from relevance. Beyond these four, none of the wideouts are fantasy worthy.

In the preseason game, Burton caught one of two targets for three yards. The buzz seems to have subsided. Can Burton overcome? Time will tell. Iosivas was not a factor which may speak more that he is comfortable in his position on the roster.

WR Charlie Jones had the breakout game with six targets, three catches, 41 yards. He would be the fifth receiver that sees time with the offense. He will likely make a play or two early in the year that makes people take notice but he is generally not rosterable at this time.

TE Mike Gesicki is likely the third target option for Burrow and Co. He posted solid numbers last season but only in PPR leagues. He wasn’t a touchdown maker in 2024. From a value standpoint he is probably a good shot at tight end if you do not get one of the top five or six studs.

TE Noah Fant is the new toy for the Bengals. Will he get playing time along with Gesicki? Fant is more of an inline blocker than Gesicki so the two could be on the field at the same time without much alteration in the gameplan. If Fant blocks well, the run game will profit because Chase, Higgins and Gesicki will draw safety coverage and allow Brown to have better running lanes than in previous years.

TE Tanner Hudson is a puzzle piece. He had eight targets, six catches, 62 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason game against the Eagles. Ever since the team signed Fant, Hudson has been unstoppable. The reason? He is good. Not so fast my friend. I truly believe Bengals coaches are highlighting Hudson so other teams will maybe offer something in a deal. That could be far-fetched but I do not believe the Bengals would have signed Fant if they felt Hudson was going to this good. So find someone who believes Hudson and his preseason performance is a ticket to stardom and ask for a second, settle for a third. You might lose this one but I feel good that you will not.

PK Evan McPherson has the potential to be the top fantasy kicker in the league but his 2024 was miserable. My initial thought was I would not overpay for him if your league uses kickers, I think I might go all-in because this offense is going to be dynamic.

The Bengals defense is an unknown. Hendrickson joining the fray would make this a worthy unit. Without Hendrickson it really is hard to tell about this defense. Golden and his coaches will showcase their alignments and personnel in the preseason so keep an eye on those games, more for scheme than personnel. Any number of players could be strong IDP-type plays including LB Logan Wilson, LB Demetrius Knight, DB Jordan Battle among the top picks but until we know how Golden utilizes his pieces we really don’t have any idea who is a strong play.

The defense was horrible with a capital H in the preseason opener. Now that can be a great thing for fantasy. Defense bad means offense has to keep the pedal down but the defense can still get its tackles, turnovers.

If you have a league that splits the defensive line into tackles and ends, I would get DL Tedarrell Slaton right now. He will be good from the jump but could be an All-Pro type player if Hendrickson comes back.

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