For as long as he's quarterbacking the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow will ultimately determine how far the team goes. They'll lift a Lombardi Trophy once or twice, or keep searching for that hardware primarily because of how he performs in his prime.

No matter how elite or pedestrian a team's quarterback is, he's the most valuable player on the field at all times. So many things have to go right for sustainable success to occur despite lackluster quarterback play, and a consistently reliable signal-caller can make up for shortcomings elsewhere.

There is no list of most valuable Bengals that doesn't have Burrow at the top, but which of his teammates would be right behind him? These five have as good of cases as any.

Top 5 Most Valuable non-Joe Burrow Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase, wide receiver

Life is so much easier with an elite No. 1 receiver at your disposal. Chase is inarguably one of the 10 best wideouts in the game despite being just 23 years of age, and his case for being in the top five is also pretty strong. It might be easier to throw the ball now compared to year’s past, but an elite receiver carries more value than most non-quarterback positions due to the importance of the passing game.

But wait, didn't the Bengals win three of their four games last year without Chase? Yes they did, and it's a testament to how well the offense adapted after showing zero signs of life in the one loss against the Cleveland Browns. That catastrophe happened days after it was revealed Chase's hip injury would take him out for at least a month. It showed that rolling out the usual game plan without him makes the usual game plan useless.

Despite missing that time, Chase still has been the recipient of nearly 24% of the Bengals' total targets, nearly 28% of their total passing yardage, and nearly 31% of their total passing touchdowns since being drafted two years ago. Mind you, no team plays more with three receivers on the field than his team. 

He's completely altered the identity of the Cincinnati's offense, and the extension he'll inevitably sign next year will be reflective of that fact.

Tee Higgins, wide receiver

Cincinnati was able to survive life without Chase last year because Higgins held down the fort at receiver. He even caught the game-winning touchdown in the win over Tennessee Titans. He provides a different skillset than his slightly younger counterpart, but further solidified himself as a well-rounded receiver who can handle X and flanker duties.

Higgins' absence last year, as pointed out last week by The Athletic' Paul Dehner Jr., was even more noticeable compared to Chase. Higgins missed significant time in three games during the 2022 campaign, and the Bengals averaged -0.05 EPA/play in those games. They averaged 0.081 for the entire regular season.

He might be behind Chase in terms of Pro Bowl votes and general recognition, but Higgins is viewed in the same light from the eyes of the Bengals' front office. It's why de facto general manager Duke Tobin completely dismissed the notion of trading him away this offseason. He's set to be one of the highest paid players in the league for good reason.

Orlando Brown Jr., left tackle

He just got here, but Brown is the most critical component to the Bengals’ offensive line becoming a strength instead of a weakness. Securing the left tackle position does more than just protect Burrow’s “blind side” (an outdated trope). His presence will allow the Bengals to throw multiple options at right tackle with the hope that one sticks.

And let's not ignore Brown's ability here. His four-time Pro Bowl status was not just handed to him ceremoniously. He's earned it by developing into an above average tackle, who's finally found a permanent home on the left side. His career average pass block grade from Pro Football Focus is a solid 77.48.

Individual offensive linemen may not provide as much added value as one would believe, but the final piece that elevates the unit into competency matters a ton. 

Trey Hendrickson, edge defender

This man has single-handily been the Bengals’ entire pass rush for the better part of two years. When Hendrickson doesn’t have his hand in the turf on the right side of the defensive line, it’s far less likely pressure on the quarterback is generated.

23% of the Bengals' pressures have been created by Hendrickson since his arrival in 2021. His pass rush win rates in each season has been at least five percent higher than any of his teammates with at least 100 reps attacking the quarterback.

When he's off the field, you've felt it. The Bengals are now trying to ensure he's able to stay fresh throughout the season with the help of first-round pick Myles Murphy, and ascending third-year player Joseph Ossai. The more help he gets, the more dangerous the Bengals' defense becomes.

DJ Reader, nose tackle

His position is not valued as highly as others, but man does Reader make such an impact for the Bengals. A two-gapping nose tackle that can not only withstand double teams, but render them useless more times than not? That does wonders for everyone around him.

When Reader was injured from Weeks 4-10 last year, the Bengals allowed the sixth-highest rush success rate in the NFL. After his return, they were the 10th best in that category. 

Reader is simply one of the best players you can have against the run. When he's not freeing up linebackers for easy run stops, he's doing it himself with sheer leverage and force. He's also posted 32 pressures in each of the past two seasons, making him a two-dimensional beast in the middle of the trenches. 

The Bengals have no one remotely close like him on the team.

Honorable mentions

Chidobe Awuzie, cornerback: Perhaps the most underrated player on the entire roster, Awuzie gives the Bengals a defensive back that can go one-on-one with the opposition's top receiver. He's even got experience against tight ends in man coverage. Cincinnati managed to stay afloat when he missed the second half of the 2022 season with a torn ACL, but not without adjusting their secondary to make up for his absence.

Germaine Pratt, linebacker: 2022 was a huge leap for Pratt, one that proved that a second-level playmaker provides much more value than a run-of-the-mill linebacker. Whenever the Bengals' defense needed a play in the last 18 months, Pratt has usually been there to deliver. The franchise rewarded his newfound consistency with a three-year contract this offseason. 

Ted Karras, center: For the record, whomever starts at right tackle this season is more valuable. But Karras deserves mentioning for being one of the pivotal veteran leaders in the locker room. He's a quality starter at a position that has very little depth on the roster, and around the league for that matter.

Bengals: Ted Karras’ o-line optimism is well earned

He’s at the center of progress, after all.

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