ESPN ranks Bengals’ offensive arsenal 13th, second-best in AFC North

The Cincinnati Bengals completely reshaped their coaching staff this offseason; however, many of their core offensive players didn’t change.

The only thing that changed about their top threats is their health. Headed into 2019 with a fully healthy A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert, the Bengals may finally be at full strength for the first time in what seems like a decade.

Green, Eifert, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, Andy Dalton and their entire offensive arsenal was recently ranked as the league’s 13th best by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. He has Cincinnati with the second-best offensive weaponry in the AFC North.

Here’s what Barnwell said concerning the Queen City’s beloved team.

“The emergence of Tyler Boyd as an above-average second wideout behind A.J. Green helps push the Bengals up, even as it seems less likely we’ll see much from former first-round picks Tyler Eifert and John Ross. Boyd, who was a healthy scratch at times in 2017, was on pace for a 98-1,240-10 season before Andy Dalton got hurt.

“Joe Mixon added nearly 1.5 yards per carry to his rushing average from 2017 and didn’t fumble once across 280 touches... If the Bengals ever could get anything consistent out of Eifert or Ross, this would be a top-10 unit.”

The Bengals have been projected to finish at the bottom of the AFC North by numerous media outlets. While they could be correct, if this core stays healthy, the Bengals will be primed to make some analysts look like fools.

In a contract year, Green will be looking to shine in order to secure his next contract. Boyd’s looking for that extension with his play and Dalton’s playing to stay a starter. Hopefully Mixon still has a chip on his shoulder from being snubbed an Pro Bowl appearance last season as well.

This team will be lethal, and people need to start giving them the credit they deserve.