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Warren Sharp’s Strength of Schedule: 2019 will be tough sledding for the Cincinnati Bengals. Warren Sharp has them projected to face the NFL’s 5th-most difficult slate of opposing defenses, including the most difficult slate of opposing pass defenses. They currently sit with just the 17th-easiest set of run-defenses.
Must Draft
The biggest beneficiary of the Bengals’ difficult schedule and, sadly, A.J. Green’s injury is Tyler Boyd. Boyd broke out last year with the NFL’s 3rd-most yards gained from the slot (733), per Evan Silva in Warren Sharp’s 2019 Football Preview. Boyd is a legitimate star in the making and should see a career-high workload in 2019.
Given his talent and expected workload, Joe Mixon is worthy of a Top 24 selection. He faces tough odds though and his receiving/rushing yard averages may be ugly. New HC Zac Taylor’s intelligent 1st-down play-calling will keep Mixon’s head above water.
Good Values
For as long as he’s healthy, Tyler Eifert deserves late round consideration as a possible red zone beneficiary of A.J. Green’s tragic ankle injury.
Monitor
A.J. Green’s 5th Round ADP, across all formats, is just too high. If he tumbles into the 8th, take him and stash him but be prepared to wait 4+ weeks for him to return.
Avoid
Giovani Bernard and John Ross.