A year ago the Bengals ranked 6th in total defense and 22nd in offense, and scored only 10 points in an opening-round playoff loss. No surprise, then, that they worked to address the offense in the draft, and are getting those players up to speed quickly at rookie minicamp.
Joe Reedy's report from minicamp can be seen at this Cincinnati Enquirer link. First-rounder Tyler Eifert is being lined up all over the field, while second-rounder Giovani Bernard is catching a "steady amount of screen passes." Those are the players the team will work to get involved right away, and the ones fantasy coaches are most interested in.
Too early to say how it will all shake out, but it's safe to say that at a minimum the presence of Bernard and Eifert will dramatically reduce the appeal of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Jermaine Gresham. It doesn't seem like those rookies will waste any time before emerging as significant parts of the offense, with Bernard maybe splitting the work -- or more -- and Eifert replacing Gresham as the primary pass catcher at tight end.
If the Bengals use more sets with two tight ends and throw the ball more to running backs like Bernard, it will affect the other pass catchers, most notably Andrew Hawkins (an early fantasy star a year ago). There probably won't be as many sets with three wide receivers, or as many passes going to the likes of Hawkins. Additional weapons, of course, should benefit Andy Dalton, and maybe take some pressure of A.J. Green.
All the rookies look great in May, of course; the real tests will come much later. Interesting, though, to think what the future might hold for this offense.
--Andy Richardson