Survivor I - Cincinnati Bengals Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Positives - The Bengals were statistically in the top ten in DEF last year with 20 INTs, 37 sacks, and 16 FRs. The addition of rookies David Pollack and Odell Thurman at LB will help the Bengals DEF this season. And with Marvin Lewis being a defensive minded coach, the addition of this young talent could give this team a boost defensively. This group is obviously not of the caliber of a Ravens or Steelers DEF, but could be a good backup DEF and still finish top ten again.

Negatives - Cincinnati was pretty bad against the rush last year giving up an average of almost 130 yards/game which ranked 26 out of 32 NFL teams. It was their above average rate of producing turnovers that produced their fantasy points (ranking 6th in turnover ratio in the AFC). Their overall schedule is a little more difficult this year as well.

Draft Strategy - I was looking to complete my platoon at the TE position. The #13 projected TE (Jerramy Stevens) was still on the board while the #15-#20 ranked TEs were already gone, but Stevens ADP sat at 18.12 and most teams already had (2) TEs. On the other hand, the Bengals D/ST projected #8 was also still on the board while the #10-#12 D/STs were already gone. So it seemed like getting a backup D/ST was the best option. I already had the Bill’s D/ST and the Bengals DEF looked like a good compliment SOS-wise (especially early in the season) as they combined with the Bengals to have (9) favorable matchups against opposing OFFs.