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.

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Aug 25: Renegotiated the contract of DE Trey Hendrickson. Terminated the contract of DT Taven Bryan. Waived DT McTelvin Agim, CB Nate Brooks, WR Cole Burgess, RB Quali Conley, DB Shaquan Loyal, WR Rashod Owens, OL Andrew Raym, CB Lance Robinson, OL Andrew Stueber, QB Payton Thomas, LB Craig Young.

Aug 26: Placed TE Erick All Jr. on Reseve/PUP list. Placed DB Daijahn Anthony and DL Cedric Johnson on Reserve/Injured List, designated to return. Terminated contracts of RB Gary Brightwell, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris. Waived LS Cal Adomitis, OL Devin Cochran, OL Andrew Coker, OL Caleb Etienne (injured), DL Raymond Johnson III, DB Jaylen Key, OL Jaxson Kirkland, DB Bralyn Lux, WR Jamoi Mayes, TE Tanner McLachlan (injured), OL Seth McLaughlin, HB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, WR Kendric Pryor, QB Desmond Ridder, DE Isaiah Thomas, OL Cordell Volson (injured), WR Isaiah Williams

Aug 27: Signed to practice squad HB Gary Brightwell, OL Devin Cochran, OT Andrew Coker, CB Jalen Davis, LB Joe Giles-Harris, OL Jaxson Kirkland, DB Bralyn Lux, OL Seth McLaughlin, HB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, LB Maema Njongmeta, QB Brett Rypien, DE Isaiah Thomas, WR Isaiah Williams.

Aug 28: Signed OL Dalton Risner. Waived DL Eric Gregory. Signed OL Javon Foster and DB Russ Yeast to the practice squad. Released OL Devin Cochran from practice squad.

Obviously the big news this week was twofold. One, the Bengals re-negotiated the contract of DE Trey Hendrickson and he is now practicing with the team. It’s a big boost to the defense. Not only is Hendrickson very, very good but he makes those around him better as opposing offenses have to focus their gameplans on him. If the talent around him and the scheme is good, then this can be a solid NFL defense which makes this team Super Bowl contenders.

The second big news is the signing of OL Dalton Risner, who immediately upgrades the offensive line protecting the Franchise QB in Joe Burrow. Risner has not allowed a sack the past two seasons. He is a veteran presence that pushes rookie OL Jalen Rivers to the bench. Rivers was strong in preseason at guard but came to the team as a tackle. He is a much better depth piece than OL Cody Ford.

The upgrades in the trenches on both sides of the ball is huge and helps all aspects of this team 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 fantasy quarterback. If he stays healthy, though, he will post dominant numbers. He was surgical like in his preseason games and is on track to have his best season ever. That’s saying a lot. QB Jake Browning remaines the back was the anti-Burrow, going 6-14 for 62 yards and a pick.

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 either 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. 

WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins are the top two guys. WR Andrei Iosivas is the clear third wide receiver option on this team and should be on a fantasy roster just in case. WR Jermaine Burton started hot but kinda fizzled at the end of camp. The talent is still here but he is simply not producing. WR Charlie Jones, however, did produce as did WR Mitchell Tinsley. Both are taxi squad stashes for now.

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.

It remains to be seen how Gesicki and newly acquired TE Noah Fant work together. The theory is Fant is the inline blocking, traditional tight end while Gesicki gets split out. Opposing defenses are going to have to pick and carefully how they play these guys, and the wideouts, because with the expected time Burrow will have to throw with a revamped offensive line, somebody will get open. Defenses must hope to tackle after the catch and not give up big plays.

TE Tanner Hudson will get a touchdown at the goal line because he will come in to block then release into the open field on play action. If you have a spot on your roster, get him but he will not be a steady producer unless there is an injury.

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, but now I think I might go all-in because this offense is going to be dynamic and McPherson appears to have corrected his 2024 flaws.

The Bengals defense is an unknown. Hendrickson joining the fray helps tremendously. Golden and his coaches have played things close to the vest in the preseason games so we really did not get much of an idea how things will shake out.

Any number of players could be strong IDP-type plays including Hendrickson, LB Logan Wilson, LB Demetrius Knight, DB Dax Hill, 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. Hendrickson is the man if your league is sack-heavy. Wilson is it if your league is tackle-heavy.

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 because opposing offensive lines will go 1v1 with Slaton and he is a mountain for anyone straight up.

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