2021 Fantasy Preview – Cincinnati Bengals

Studs

• Joe Mixon: It is potentially controversial adding Mixon to the “Studs” list, but Mixon is primed for a bounce-back year after missing a majority of the 2020 season. The offensive line looks to take a step forward, the offense is more balanced than it was in 2019, they forecast to be in scoring situations more often, and Giovanni Bernard is out of the picture leaving behind a lot of targets. Mixon should provide RB1 numbers consistently throughout the season.
• Ja’Marr Chase: Considered the WR1 in the class by many analysts and scouts this offseason. In dynasty, this could potentially be the cheapest opportunity to acquire Chase. Considering him as a stud is a lot of projecting and basing on his high potential, but his pre-draft talent makes it worth the shot.

Role Players

• Joe Burrow: With Burrow coming back off his injury, all arrows are pointing up. The volume should still be there from the start of his rookie season, and they have added an elite weapon at wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase. Despite the volume he had he was still only the QB15 weeks 1 through 10 (before his injury), posting very up and down weeks. If he can improve his efficiency, he is set up to be on the “Studs” list going into 2022, especially in dynasty formats at the age of 24.
• Tee Higgins: Higgins might be on the “Studs” list here if the Bengals didn’t go out and grab one of the top wide receivers in this class. He had an incredibly impressive rookie year posting over 900 yards and 6 touchdowns and probably would have been even better if Burrow stayed healthy all year. He still provides value, but his ceiling is a bit capped for future years with Chase in the fold now.

Keep an eye on

• Tyler Boyd: Boyd has been incredibly consistent the past few seasons with WR16, WR18, and WR29 finishes each of the past 3 years (missing some games toward the end of the 2020 season). Looking towards the Bengals’ future, it would make sense that they want Higgins and Chase to be the focal point of this offense. While Boyd provides great NFL value, it won’t be surprising to see his fantasy value decrease in upcoming years with the competition for targets.
• Drew Sample: CJ Uzomah is the only real competition Sample has for targets at the TE position, and Uzomah is more of a blocking TE than the receiving threat that Sample is. But even if Sample gets on the field, the TE is not generally featured in Cincinnati’s offense, especially with the great weapons currently at the WR position. It’s an uphill battle for Sample, but a situation to monitor.
• Samaje Perine: Perine provides a handcuff to Joe Mixon on early-down situations. Without an injury to Mixon, Perine doesn’t hold much stand-alone value. But he’s still someone to keep an eye on on the waiver wire.

Dynasty Stashes

• Chris Evans: Evans was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, so he has an uphill battle to get on the field. That being said, he has an opportunity to secure the role that Giovanni Bernard has left behind in the offense. That’s a valuable role that can translate to flex/low-end RB2 numbers.