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The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t exactly strangers to being underdogs.
And while some have issued praise on the strong set of weapons around Joe Burrow in 2020, the praise has been far from universal.
Over at ESPN, Bill Barnwell issued rankings of the offensive weapons for all 32 teams and slotted the Bengals 23rd:
“The Bengals still have a group of wideouts with upside in rookie Tee Higgins, slot receiver Tyler Boyd and frustrating former first-rounder John Ross III, who averaged 1.98 yards per route run while simultaneously dropping four of his 56 targets. Tight end isn’t very exciting, but the Bengals do have Joe Mixon, who Bill Belichick called “probably [the] best back in the league” in December. I’m not quite on board with that level of praise, but Mixon has been pretty good over the past two seasons despite playing behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines. If the line improves in 2020, Mixon could challenge for the rushing title.”
Granted, Barnwell offers a disclaimer early that he can’t account for perfect health for A.J. Green and Burrow.
But still, it’s a little tough to agree with the ranking, especially when the writeup notes wideout is weighted heavier than most things. Green is a potential top-10 player at his position. But even taking him out, Tyler Boyd is one of the better slot guys in the NFL, Tee Higgins was a borderline first-round product and John Ross is one of the fastest players in the league, which is good for scheming if nothing else. Add in Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard out of the backfield — even as receiving threats only.
This isn’t to say it’s all going to come together perfectly for the Bengals anytime soon. Rookie passer growing pains are a thing and probably especially so during this odd offseason. But Cincinnati’s cast of weapons is consistently hailed as one of the best a No. 1 quarterback has ever inherited for a reason.
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