Sixth in a series
The Bengals shocked me. I was not a fan entering the season, but the great play as a rookie by QB Andy Dalton and the skill and talent of WR A.J. Green showed they can become a powerful fantasy duo. The team has needs at wide receiver and running back. Their best move so far was locking up offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who will be able to keep continuity, which will create a stronger offense for fantasy owners to choose from.
Can Andy Dalton become a viable fantasy quarterback?
Gruden will pay immediate dividends with Dalton and his growth. Remember, there's a full offseason for Gruden and company to work on the nuances of the West Coast offense with the young signalcaller, who should remain a No. 2 fantasy QB. Dalton ended the season with an average of 212.4 yards and 1.3 TDs with 0.8 interceptions in 16 games. Those numbers clearly make him a lower-end fantasy QB, but he had six games with multiple touchdowns, including three in Week Nine. Dynasty-league owners should make him a long-term keeper.
What does 2012 hold for RBs Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott?
There's talk of Benson not being happy and the team looking to go in another direction. Using a high draft pick on a running back is one way — the Bengals have two first-round picks — or they could go with a free agent. Benson's poor hands always have been a burden on fantasy owners because he's one-dimensional; now it hampers his role with the team. He ended the season with 18.2 attempts for 71.1 yards and 0.4 TDs per game and in an offense that excels with pass-receiving backs, he only had 15-82-0 receiving on 22 targets. His overall production isn't enough.
Bernard Scott is a better complementary player than starter, and the team understands it needs to get him on the field. At 5-10, 197 pounds, Scott, who has good hands, likely will part of a time-share with a new running back. It's a long way to go before training camps, and the only prognosis that seems solid is Benson leaving. Where he winds up will determine his new value.
How does the team upgrade the WR position?
Jerome Simpson was indicted on drug charges after the authorities intercepted marijuana sent to his home and then found scales and smoking paraphernalia inside. He could serve 1-5 years, but as a first-time offender who has been cooperating, he will probably get probation. Either way he faces a possible league suspension. Simpson's an unrestricted free agent so he might be walking anyway. He averaged 3.1 catches for 45.3 yards and 0.25 TDs on 6.56 targets (including playoffs), but big games kept him on fantasy rosters. In Week Two (4-136-0 on nine targets), Week Six (6-101-0 on nine targets) and Week 11 (8-152-0 on 13 targets) he had big games spaced apart just enough to keep his value high. Don't look at Simpson as anything more than a late-round pick if he sticks with the Bengals.
Andre Caldwell is also a free agent and is the team's No. 3 WR, working the slot. He has minimal fantasy value. In fact, outside of A.J. Green, there is a big void to fill on the Bengals' WR corps. If the team is serious about upgrading the position via the draft or free agency, there is room in this offense for two solid fantasy WRs. Right now there are more questions than answers.
Is Jermaine Gresham good enough to be a No. 1 fantasy tight end?
The team is high on Gresham, and though he's inconsistent, the former first-round pick averaged four catches for 42.6 yards and 0.43 TDs on 6.57 targets in 14 games. The team will stick with him as he enters his third season on the team and his second in a West Coast offense. As long as the team lacks a complementary No. 2 WR or brings in a new one who has to learn the offense, Gresham has an advantage to play a greater role early on. He only had two games with more than 70 receiving yards but saw nearly seven targets per game. He has some upside in this offense but is merely a No. 2 fantasy TE in larger leagues.
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