Cincinnati Bengals 22.6 PPG, Sacks 44, 18th

The Cincinnati Bengals went 9-8 last season, and still managed to finish last in the brutal AFC North. It has been the most dominant division since its inception in 2002, and the only division in which all four team had a winning record.

It was difficult for the Bengals to overcome the loss of Joe Burrow. The Bengals scored 62 more points than the Steelers, but allowed sixty more points to be scored as well. The Bengals have playmakers at every level, and several worthy IDP draft picks, but they did not make many changes to their roster. 

2024 Projections: 23rd

The Bengals defense may take a step backwards despite the return of Joe Burrow. He may aid their points per game, but it’s also possible opposing teams have the film to break don their defense. The personnel and defensive coordinator are well established, particularly so with Vonn Bell coming back after a one year stint with the Carolina Panthers.

The Bengals are a defense built to play with a lead, they have an opportunity to have a positive game script going into the fourth quarter which will help them. Trey Hendrickson has sealed several victories for the Bengals with a sack late in the fourth quarter, but it is a risky strategy. 

Essentially the Bengals are stating “let’s run it back” , and have faith in the playmakers they invested in to improve. Meanwhile everyone in the AFC North made moves to become better offensively. Can the Queen City team rally again or will it be too little, too late? That’s up to their IDPs.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Logan Wilson

DL – Trey Hendrickson

DB – Vonn Bell

Logan Wilson is the only IDP candidate that has value across all IDP leagues. He makes enough tackles to be relevant, and has 100 or more tackles in his last three seasons. 2023 was the first time he played all 17 games of the season and he earned 135 tackles, 9 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 4 quarterback hits, and 2 forced fumbles. 

Wilson is arguably the best pass coverage interior linebacker in the NFL, and he has 11 career interceptions, more than most earn in a lifetime and Wilson is just in year five. He is also a green-dot guy, implying he is the one communicating with the coaches on the sideline. 

A true three down linebacker who is almost a guarantee to get 100+ tackles, and possibly double-digit pass deflections is rare. Wilson goes later than most linebackers, and if a fantasy manager is waiting to draft IDPs late, Wilson could be there. Draft him and know you have a set and forget linebacker with a high floor and potential spike weeks.

Trey Hendrickson is a true sack specialist, which is a double-edged sword in fantasy. In reality he is the equivalent to a closer in baseball, and if you want a name to tag on it how about Edwin Diaz? He doesn’t get the awesome music, but the excitement they both bring gets their fans dancing.

Last year was Hendrickson’s first season to play every game. He earned 17.5 sacks, or one per game… oftentimes without a positive script. He also earned 3 forced fumbles, a feat he has accomplished three years in a row. He also batted down three passes, a great skill for a pass rusher. 

However, Hendrickson is not a tackler, in fact last year was his career high, 43 combined tackles. In seven years that is his career high, so it makes it difficult to draft Hendrickson in standard leagues. In leagues you must start multiple defensive linemen, also leagues in which sacks are heavily rewarded, or in bestball formats Hendrickson is worth a draft pick. In standard leagues it will be hit or miss.

Vonn Bell is back to the team where he has experienced the most success, the Bengals. His three year stint there was the best of his eight year career. The Bengals welcomed him back as the void left by him and Bates leaving could not be filled with draft picks nor free agents. 

He should get back to high tackling volume as the strong safety and in a system he is familiar with. Most of his teammates are still there as well. 100 tackles are within reach for Bell, but he will have to rely on that, as his big play ability is not what it once was. Germaine Pratt, Sam Hubbard, and Mike Hilton are viable options as well, but Bell seems like the safest option of the four.

Tomorrow the Miami Dolphins.
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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.