In the seventh of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Cincinnati Bengals.
Key Off-Season Acquisition
It is no surprise that the Bengals’s most notable free agent acquisition was on defense. After giving up 434 points in 2024, the third most in the AFC, Cincinnati signed defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to a two-year contract worth $14.1 million. Slaton had 30 combined tackles (15 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles), three quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss and one quarterback hit. The sack came in a 20-19 Packers win over the Chicago Bears on November 17.
Fantasy Stars
The Bengals have two offensive stars, and they are two of the most electrifying players in the game today. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase of Harvey, Louisiana is ranked number one in fantasy at his position, and quarterback Joe Burrow of Ames, Iowa is ranked number two among quarterbacks behind Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson of Pompano Beach, Florida.
Chase had a remarkable season in the NFL in 2024. He led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1708), and touchdown receptions (17). Burrow led the NFL in passes completed (460), passing yards (4918), and touchdown passes (43). Burrow also had 42 rushes for 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His first rushing touchdown was for 47 yards and came in a 17-7 Bengals win over the New York Giants on October 13. Burrow’s second rushing touchdown was for one yard and came in a 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos on December 28.
Projected Finish
The Bengals improved their defense but not enough. They are projected to be behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North, and in third place.
