Pro Football Focus names the Cincinnati Bengals' 3 best players
Pro Football Focus writer Ben Kinsey took a shot this week at naming the three best players on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster. Two of the choices were obvious. But there were a few different directions he could've gone with the third choice. Kinsey ended up going with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase […]
Pro Football Focus writer Ben Kinsey took a shot this week at naming the three best players on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster.
Two of the choices were obvious. But there were a few different directions he could've gone with the third choice.
Kinsey ended up going with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (the two easy choices), as well as wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Defensive lineman D.J. Reader, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and safety Jessie Bates were also considered by Kinsey.
The three players above are the biggest reason to be excited about Cincinnati’s future as AFC contenders, as Burrow, Chase and Higgins bring a whole lot of passing game talent on rookie contracts.
Chase and Higgins both finished the 2021 season as top-10 wide receivers in PFF grade. It was clear that those two, along with Tyler Boyd, played a big role in Burrow’s second-year jump. Burrow notched a league-high 13 passing touchdowns on throws 20-plus yards downfield in 2021 compared to just one as a rookie.
Burrow and Chase speak for themselves. Chase's incredible rookie season wasn't just one of the best seasons ever by a rookie wide receiver, it was one of the best seasons ever by a wide receiver period.
As for Higgins, he had a great sophomore season that was overlooked a bit due to Chase's exceptional season.
The former Clemson wide receiver caught 74 passes for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns while missing three games last season. Higgins was just behind CeeDee Lamb, Chris Godwin, and Travis Kelce in receiving yards.
Cincinnati wasn't expected to be a Super Bowl contender last season, but looking back, it shouldn't have been a surprise. The Bengals' roster is stacked. And it'll be even better in 2022 thanks to a vastly improved offensive line.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK
