The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the most consistent teams in the NFL over the past few seasons. The Bengals have made the playoffs in five straight seasons but have failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs in any of those years. The Bengals finished the 2015 season at 12-4 and finished as the AFC North champions last season. The Bengals skill position players had high expectations coming into the 2015 season. Some of this skilled position players exceeded there expectations but several skilled position players failed to meet expectations last season. Let’s look at the Cincinnati Bengals 2015 fantasy football recap.
Cincinnati Bengals 2015 Fantasy Football recap
Quarterback Andy Dalton has been a consistent quarterback in the NFL since being drafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. Dalton came into the 2015 season as a sleeper and he produced solid fantasy numbers until he was injured later in the season. Before his injury Dalton threw for 3,250 yards, 25 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and even 142 rushing yards with three touchdowns. Before his injury Dalton was averaging 18 fantasy points per game and was the fifth ranked quarterback. With Dalton coming back from his injury he should be targeted in the later rounds of your draft and produce solid fantasy points next season. In Daltons absence last season backup quarterback A.J McCarron was a decent back up for the Bengals and help keep the Bengals skilled position players relevant for fantasy owners last season. While Dalton does not have a big injury risk it is nice to know that there is a confident backup quarterback for the Bengals.
Starting running back Jeremy Hill was coming off a fantastic rookie season in 2014 and had very high expectations for the 2015 season. He failed to live up to these expectations in 2015 as he finished the season with 870 total yards and 12 touchdowns. Hill finished as the 14th ranked running back last season with 155 fantasy points. Hill averaged 10 fantasy points per game, but was very inconsistent last season. He was a disappointment because he was drafted in the late first or early second round. With another off-season under his belt Hill should produce solid numbers next season and be a solid RB2 or a high and flex next year. Hill should be a target in the middle rounds of your draft next season. Running back Giovanni Bernard has been one of the most electrifying players to watch since he came into the league in 2013. While Bernard did not produce major fantasy numbers last season he was a solid flex option and a solid running back to in PPR leagues. Bernard had 1200 total yards and two touchdowns last season. Bernard had 132 fantasy points and averaged eight fantasy points per game. With the Bengals having a true committee between Hill and Bernard the two running backs will most likely continue to hurt each others value in regards to fantasy football. Bernard is worth a late round draft pick in next years drafts.
Over the last few seasons wide receiver AJ Green has been one of the most consistent and elite wide receivers in the NFL and in fantasy football. Green totaled 1,300 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Green finished as the eighth ranked wide receiver with 187 fantasy points and averaged 12 fantasy points per game last season. Green is an elite wide receiver and should be drafted in the second round and have no problem duplicating is 2015 stats. Next leading receives for the Bengals were Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu. Jones had 850 total yards and four touchdowns. Sanu had 465 total yard and two touchdowns. Both of these receivers have sense left Cincinnati via free agency. Jones signed a multi year deal with Detroit, to help replace the now retired Calvin Johnson. Jones should be drafted in the later rounds of your draft next season. Sanu has signed a new deal with the Atlanta Falcons and will most likely play the slot receiver and is worth a late round flier in your draft next season.
One of the skill position players that lived up to his off season hype was tight and Tyler Eifert. He went undrafted in most leagues and had a great week one with a multi touchdown game vs the Oakland Raiders and was one of the better tight ends in fantasy last season when he was healthy. He totaled 615 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He finished the season as the fifth ranked tight end with 139 fantasy points and averaged 12 points per game when he was on the field. He has dealt with several injuries throughout his young career, and now he has had surgery on his ankle and might miss a month of the regular season. He is worth the risk and is worth a middle round pick in next year’s drafts.
The Cincinnati Bengals have lost a lot of talent via free agency this past off season but have done a good job building through the draft and will still be one of the best teams in the AFC next season. With the departure of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson the Bengals skilled position players might have a little difficulty in duplicating last seasons numbers but will still be productive for your fantasy teams this upcoming season.
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