The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory. They just fell short to the LA Rams in the Super Bowl. The Bengals draft picks, waiver claims, and offseason moves helped the team greatly both offensively and defensively. Can they create this perfect recipe again in 2022? I believe they can and will. What does this mean for the teams’ fantasy relevance? Let’s take a look at the Bengals’ young and fearless offense.

Bengals QB

Joe Burrow, #9

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow had a real standout sophomore season throwing for 4,611 Yds, 34 Tds, 14 Ints, & a 70.4 completion percentage. Some analysts say that his 2021 campaign may be his ceiling, and I am not sure how to feel about it. He still has three young and talented WRs and a brand new and intriguing TE in Hayden Hurst, but many other standout QBs can also finish ahead of him. Plus, he had two insanely high fantasy production games at the end of the year that can sway the trends and numbers. Burrow is young and motivated, and I believe he will be a safe QB1 with a big-passing-game upside in 2022.

Consensus ADP: QB7

My ADP: QB10

2022 Fantasy Points Projection: 312.42

Bengals RB

Joe Mixon, #28

Ever since being drafted, the consensus has called for a Joe Mixon breakout season every single year. Mixon finally had his big breakout season in 2021. He finished as the RB4 with 287.9 fantasy points. Now, he continues to be an almost every-down back, he has a nice receiving role, and the Bengals have once again bolstered their offensive line during the offseason. Mixon broke tackles more efficiently; he had more yards after initial contact and more runs for first downs than any other season. He is looking to hold his value and excel as a top-five RB.

Consensus ADP: RB7

My ADP: RB5

2022 Fantasy Points Projection (PPR): 277.0

Bengals WRs

Ja’Marr Chase, #1

Want a WR who can break off a 70-yard TD at any given point during a game and help you win a week with one insurmountable performance? Look no further than Ja’Marr Chase. He finished the 2021 season, his rookie season, might I add, with 81 receptions for 1,455 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He had an average depth of target (ADOT) of 12.6, created a lot of separation on routes, and only had a drop rate of 8.6 percent, which is very good considering the “dropped passes” concern that was discussed all mini camp last year. I expect another marvelous season for Chase continuing to keep him in the conversation of potential dynasty WR1.

Consensus ADP: WR3

My ADP: WR3

2022 Fantasy Points Projection (PPR): 316.4

Tee Higgins, #85

After this upcoming season, Tee Higgins might receive a new nickname. He will have to be called Mr. Consistent or even Mr. Reliable. In his sophomore and rookie seasons, he put up almost identical numbers averaging 70 receptions for nearly 1,000 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Higgins is a player who can spread the field, master crossing routes, post up on a curl route, and even go up for a 50/50 ball. I am not even the slightest concerned about having Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins ranked so closely together. They do not really take targets away from each other, and they work well together as one of the best WR duos in the NFL.

Consensus ADP: WR12

My ADP: WR13

2022 Fantasy Points Projection (PPR): 240.6

Tyler Boyd, #83

Bengals WR Tyler Boyd was once the team’s WR1, but after the last few drafts, he has since been bumped to the WR3. In 2021, Boyd finished with 67 receptions for 828 yards and five touchdowns for 183.8 fantasy points. He is a shifty slot receiver with great hands and has the ultra-rare clutch gene but is really nothing more than that at the moment. He is often now the third read on the offense and will see significantly fewer targets and will have fewer receiving yards and touchdowns than he has in the past. I would much rather draft someone else with more upside in the rounds he is going in.

Consensus ADP: WR51

My ADP: WR59

2022 Fantasy Points Projection (PPR): 148.9

Bengals TE

Hayden Hurst, #88

Hayden Hurst has always been a really talented blocking TE. One that has usually taken the backseat in the passing game as the TE2 of the team he plays for. He was the TE2 on the Baltimore Ravens behind Mark Andrews. Most recently, he was the TE2 on the Atlanta Falcons behind young star Kyle Pitts. Now, he has the TE1 role in a high passing volume offense and should see some work early in the season. The only issue is that he will likely be Burrow’s fourth read, maybe even fifth. He will likely be a streaming option for certain weeks. Depending on how the dice roll, he may even be a waiver add.

Consensus ADP: TE25

My ADP: TE28

2022 Fantasy Points Projection (PPR): 103.5

A reminder for you: more great NFL and fantasy football coverage can be found on the Belly Up website, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network & Belly Up TV. Make sure to check back in with Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and injury analysis to ensure you are a championship-winning fantasy manager. Got a question or have something to say? Leave a comment below and follow me on Twitter @TFFPhilip and Instagram @thrillsfantasyfootball.