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Bengals roster doesn’t garner much respect in recent rankings

By Leigh Oleszczak

Jan 3, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) celebrates the interception with cornerback Jalen Davis (37) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) and linebacker Jordan Evans (50) during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) celebrates the interception with cornerback Jalen Davis (37) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) and linebacker Jordan Evans (50) during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cincinnati Bengals might have an offense that appears to be on the up-and-up but the overall roster isn’t inspiring much confidence. Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports ranked all 32 NFL rosters by talent and put the Bengals near the bottom, as they came in at No. 26.

Dajani offered this analysis on the Bengals’ offense:

"The Bengals’ offseason may have gotten Zac Taylor and Co. on the right track, but they aren’t ready to contend just yet. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could be a dynamic duo at receiver, but the offensive line is going to have to do a better job of protecting Joe Burrow. Riley Reiff is a notable addition and Jackson Carman could end up being a great pro. Hopefully left tackle Jonah Williams can stay healthy in his third season."

The highlight of the offense is easily Joe Burrow and the wide receivers the Bengals have surrounded him with but there’s still reason for concern along the offensive line, which struggled to protect Burrow during his rookie season. The Bengals made the offensive line a point of emphasis this offseason, adding Riley Reiff and Jackson Carman but is it going to be enough? That remains to be seen.

Here was what Dajani had to say about the Bengals’ defense:

"This defense struggled mightily to stop the run in 2020, but added a couple of defensive linemen recently in Larry Ogunjobi and Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals took a hit by losing cornerback William Jackson III in free agency, but did add Chidobe Awuzie. I still don’t think this defense is going to be able to contain the explosive offensive attacks of the AFC North, but maybe the offense can try to keep up on the scoreboard in 2021."

Well, that’s… accurate.

As much as we hate to admit it, the Bengals defense probably won’t be much better this year than it was a season ago. The additions of Ogunjobi and Hendrickson are going to help the pass rush and the cornerback group is full of fresh faces but for the most part, this unit probably won’t be all that impressive.

The Bengals’ roster didn’t get much respect in these rankings.

This team should be much better in 2021 but it’ll likely be because of the offense’s ability to score points and keep things closer. The defense made moves in free agency and really tried to beef up their pass rush, but playing in a tough division and facing a really tough schedule overall is going to make it hard for this group to really shine.

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Hopefully, Dajani is proven wrong and the Bengals roster can shock a lot of people but right now, it’s hard to argue with him as to where he placed them in his rankings.