Highest-graded Bengals through 16 weeks of action

Here are the highest-graded Cincinnati Bengals players in the 2021 season so far. You’ve already seen these names before.

After winning the AFC North, the Bengals have set their sights on larger goals — mainly, getting their first playoff win since 1990.

Their exact playoff seeding will be revealed after Week 18 depending on results from the Chiefs and Titans.

Cincinnati has a score to settle with the Browns, who they lost to in their first matchup. Coach Zac Taylor may be incentivized to rest some of his starters, though, so keep a lookout on the active roster.

Through 16 games, these Bengals players have went above and beyond to help the team get to where it is now.

These are the highest-graded Cincinnati Bengals players, per PFF

Joe Burrow is first. No surprise there. Burrow has been quietly making a case for the Comeback Player of the Year award after posting monster numbers against the Ravens and Chiefs.

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase also are featured on the list, with Higgins ranked a few more points ahead likely due to Chase’s occasional drops throughout the season. Both have been Burrow’s favorite targets, though, and both will continue to play huge roles in the postseason.

On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie earned an 83.4 PFF overall grade and D.J. Reader earned an 81.3 PFF overall grade, speaking to each player’s stellar performances in his respective position.

Whereas other starting corner Eli Apple has been inconsistent this season, Awuzie has kept Cincinnati’s backfield in check, staying vigilant against some of the best wideout threats in the league.

And Reader, as always, is dominating the trenches.

So there you have it: your highest-graded Bengals players so far in the 2021 season.