The Cincinnati Bengals feature a stacked 2013 roster. They will have little difficulty proving as much to both fantasy owners and gridiron defenses alike.
Cincinnati’s offense is particularly loaded across the board. It boasts a top-four fantasy wideout in A.J. Green, a soon-to-be prolific tight end duo of Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert, and quarterback in Andy Dalton who, despite his limitations, still accounted for 31 total touchdowns and 250 fantasy points last season.
But what about the opposite side of the spectrum? Who out of that productive bunch will materialize as a fantasy dud in 2013? Let’s roll him out.
Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis produced a solid but not spectacular 2012 campaign. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau and found end-zone pay dirt six different times. He also registered a career-high in carries with 278.
In fantasy terms, Green-Ellis accrued 151.80 points. He was the No. 19 overall running back and served as a quality RB2 option.
Unfortunately, a few other statistics reveal his deficient skill set and serve as a harbinger to a substantial drop off in 2013.
The “Law Firm” recorded a lowly average of 3.9 yards per carry last year. His average of 2.1 yards after contact was even more unsightly and ranked him down at No. 44 among the 59 running backs examined by the reputable stat minds at Pro Football Focus. These numbers clearly show his ineffectiveness at being an inside runner and an every-down back.
Exacerbating Green-Ellis’ inevitable dwindling role in the Bengals offense are his inabilities in the passing game. He doesn’t have great hands, is not an accomplished route-runner and has never logged a TD catch or totaled more than 159 receiving yards in a given season.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, has geared up for a much more potent aerial attack. It selected one of the top offensive weapons from this year’s draft in Round 1 with Tyler Eifert. He and Jermaine Gresham will form the NFL’s new dominant tight end duo. The Bengals also have a healthy Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones returning as supporting wideouts for Green and Andrew Hawkins.
Furthermore, second-round pick Giovani Bernard was the most accomplished pass-catching running back emerging from the NCAA. He piled up 852 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just two seasons at North Carolina, not to mention 47 catches for 490 yards and five scores in 2012.
Dalton will regularly utilize this sure-handed weapon out of the backfield. He will also appreciate the change-of-pace dynamic that the 5’9’’, 209-pound Bernard will provide.
With all that in mind, Green-Ellis is in for a rough fantasy campaign. He’ll still see action as the Bengals “every-down back,” but his touches, averages and overall production will greatly diminish. Don’t expect more than 700 yards and a couple of scores on the ground, with just about next to nothing in the passing game.
Green-Ellis was once a safe RB2 bet is now someone you shouldn’t touch with a 20-foot fantasy pole.
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