2023 NFL Team Offseason Roundup: Cincinnati Bengals

It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL season! Follow along with all our fantasy football team offseason roundups here.

It’s been a very busy NFL offseason, with free agent signings, coaching changes and several new players entering the league via the NFL Draft. As we prepare for the 2023 fantasy football season, it’s critical to have a full understanding of each team’s offseason moves. Our NFL Team Roundup Series continues today with the Cincinnati Bengals.

2023 NFL Team Roundup: Cincinnati Bengals

2022 Results

Record: 12-4, 1st in the AFC North
Season Ending: Lost 23-20 to Kansas City in AFC Championship 

Cincinnati Bengals Offseason Summary

Draft 

1.28: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
2.60: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
3.95: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
4.131: Charlie Jones, WR, Purdue
5.163: Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
6.206: Andrei Iosivas, WR, Princeton
6.217: Brad Robbins, P, Michigan
7.246: DJ Ivey, CB, Miami

Myles Murphy, DE (1.28)

Cincinnati had the fourth-fewest sacks last year (30), making the Clemson product a great first-round addition.

DJ Turner, CB (2.60)

Speedy CB adds depth to a secondary that will get tested by a 2023 schedule that includes Buffalo, Jacksonville, Minnesota and Kansas City. 

Charlie Jones, WR, (4.131)

Purdue standout is possible replacement for Tyler Boyd at year’s end. 

Chase Brown, RB, (5.163)

Brown rushed for over 1,600 yards and totaled 13 touchdowns last year for Illinois. 

Additions

Free agent signings: QB Trevor Siemian, TE Irv Smith, OT Orlando Brown, OG Cody Ford, LB Tarell Basham, CB Sidney Jones, S Nick Scott

Trevor Siemian, QB

Assumes the backup role to Joe Burrow. Experienced veteran who is with his seventh NFL team. 

Irv Smith, TE

Talented but oft-injured tight end will serve as replacement to Hayden Hurst.

Orlando Brown, OT

Still just 27 years old, Brown is a four-time consecutive Pro Bowl tackle who won a Super Bowl with Kansas City last season.

Departures

QB Brandon Allen, RB Samaje Perine, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Eli Apple, CB Tre Flowers, S Jessie Bates, S Vonn Bell, LS Cal Adomitis

Samaje Perine, RB

Perine was a valuable part of the Bengals offense in 2022. The versatile 27-year-old rusher produced career-highs in receptions (38), receiving yards (287) and receiving touchdowns (4). He signed a two-year deal with Denver. 

Hayden Hurst, TE

Hurst posted solid totals across the board for the Bengals. Takes his 52 receptions and 414 receiving yards to Carolina. 

Jessie Bates, S

Spent five solid seasons with Bengals, achieving second-team All-Pro status in 2020. Signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in March. 

Cincinnati Bengals Fantasy Outlook

The six most interesting Bengals fantasy options:

Joe Burrow, QB

One of the best pure passers in the NFL, Joe Burrow was the overall QB4 in fantasy with a career-high 36 passing touchdowns.

Joe Mixon, RB

His off-the-field trouble still lurks, will a suspension occur? Joe Mixon totaled 337 carries plus targets last season and has scored 25 touchdowns over the past two years. Still a possible cut candidate.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR

One of the best receivers in football. Ja’Marr Chase has posted 168 receptions, 2,501 receiving yards and 22 combined touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.

Tee Higgins, WR

Mr. Consistency for Cincinnati. Tee Higgins has averaged 72.0 receptions, 1,013.7 receiving yards, and 6.3 touchdowns over his first three seasons. 

Tyler Boyd, WR

The 28-year-old can be the forgotten receiver in this offense, but Tyler Boyd has scored at least five touchdowns in four of his past five seasons. 

Irv Smith, TE

Tight end has been a productive position for the Bengals, and Irv Smith’s explosive speed (4.63 at 242 pounds) could serve as the conduit for big plays with Joe Burrow.

2023 Outlook

DraftKings Sportsbook Wins Over/Under: 11.5 Wins (+110, -130)
AFC North odds: +150

The Bengals started 2-3 last season before ripping off 10 wins in their last 11 games. This year should prove to be their biggest challenge, with all three divisional opponents improving their rosters. 

Cincinnati needs to improve their pass rush and secondary, especially against Baltimore and Cleveland. The Bengals offense is elite, but as our Dan Fornek noted, their offensive line provided the third-worst time in the pocket. Cincinnati is hoping Orlando Brown provides stability at the left tackle position. While their win total is heavily juiced to the under, I’m taking the Bengals under 11.5 wins. Their questions on defense and improvement by division opponents have me much more bullish on Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Baltimore. I am also fading their divisional odds at +150.