By: Jake Rajala

The Cincinnati Bengals were the NFL’s darling in 2022, but they still needed to be more well-rounded this off-season. I expect the Bengals to be an AFC juggernaut in 2022, but I do believe there are a few players who will a large role that need to have a career turnaround. With that said, I’m going to outline three overrated profiles on the Bengals right now.

Samaje Perine

It may be fun to let off some steam on Samaje Perine after he didn’t make an attempt to catch the ball on the Bengals last play of Super Bowl LVI. Although, I do also believe that he hasn’t been an exciting RB2 on a team pushing for a Super Bowl win in the near future. Perine is a step below a prime Giovani Bernard and I’d prefer to see Cincy have a RB2 that can be a true x-factor in prime-time contests. Hopefully, he can have a 2022 season near his rookie season (785 all-purpose yards).

Hayden Hurst

It may seem like “Hayden Hurst is an athletic freak in a high-powered offense”, but he certainly didn’t lift off in a Matt Ryan-led offense. It should be well noted that Hurst is an inspiring person, but the former Falcons TE registered 571 yards in 2020 and 221 yards in 13 games last season. Hurst has been less exciting than Coby Fleener in a Saints uniform. I would be hesitant to expect him to shine in a Bengals offense that arguably displays the best WR trio in the NFL.

Sam Hubbard

I will say that Sam Hubbard has been a pillar of consistency, but I’d still like to see him get over the hump (10+ sacks, Pro Bowl honors). After Trey Hendrickson unleashed 14 sacks in 2021, It’s time for this pass-rushing partner to be a star in the AFC. Carlos Dunlap may not have had a positive tone in his last days in Cincy, but he has had better production than Hubbard as of late. Hubbard did also sign an impressive contract extension in the 2021 off-season, so it’s time for him to put it all together soon.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Cincinnati Bengals stole the hearts of the NFL in 2021. The Bengals rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase won Offensive Rookie of The Year and he was arguably the best rookie WR of all time (81 receptions, 1,455 yds, and 13 touchdowns). Chase more than jumped onto the scene last season. The new question is: which Bengals will turn heads in 2022? Well, I’m going to untwine three Bengals profiles that will impress next season.

Hayden Hurst

Hayden Hurst escaped Atlanta island and It seems clear that he is in line for a heavy workload as the Bengals TE1. I really expect him to shatter his previous career receiving yard tally (576 yards) with Cincy. The 28-year-old signed a one-year, prove-it contract with Cincy and he should expect to have great match-ups across the NFL’s top WR trio. Ultimately, his third year QB that threw for the sixth-most passing yards in 2021 should help him excel in 2022.

Eli Apple

Eli Apple quietly allowed the lowest passer rating in man coverage last season. I believe he continues to be superb and not get torched after challenging Top-5 WRs in 2022 – which should grant him the most respect he’s had in his career. The CB that re-signed a one-year contract will be 27 years old in Week 1 and his expected consistent performance in 2022 should unfortunately surprise a lot of his haters.

Chris Evans (KR)

The Bengals clearly feel like they have a special role created for Chris Evans in the special teams area. Chris Evans was bumped to KR duties in the post-season and he was a modest performer in his fresh role. He returned one kick for 32 yards while averaging 23.4 yards on 9 kickoff returns in the playoffs. I expect him to crack a few kick returns, as he’s a special athlete (4.4 40 time and 22 bench reps at the combine). The Bengals could really benefit in prime-time games if Evans steps up to the plate.

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By: Emerson Beery

The tight end landscape has become the most talented bare, and hardest position to predict in fantasy. Every year there are talented tight ends who get drafted with high expectations and struggle to produce (looking at you Evan Engram). Due to this, it has become a popular strategy to fade the position if you don’t get one of the top guys like Travis Kelce or George Kittle. This is a strategy I approve of after spending years over drafting guys like Engram, Hunter Henry, and Austin Hooper. In this article, I will examine some tight-end prospects going late in drafts that have high upside in 2022 and beyond. None of these players are likely to be league winners, but at a position this thin they have starting potential. 

Robert Tonyan

Tonyan is coming off a disappointing 2021 campaign in which he struggled to produce on the field before ultimately tearing his ACL in week 8. Through these 8 games, Tonyan mustered only 18 catches for 204 yards. His 29 targets were actually on pace for almost exactly the same amount he received in his breakout  2020 season. The problem was he couldn’t replicate his 11 touchdown receptions, which made up the bulk of his fantasy points. As a result, Tonyan’s dynasty value dropped dramatically since last season, as he can be found as a low TE2 according to most outlets. I believe he has a chance to outproduce this ranking in 2022 as one of Rodger’s most trusted offensive weapons. 

In 2020, Tonyan managed to catch a touchdown on a ridiculous 18.6% of his targets. This wasn’t sustainable and his production dropped last year. As a result, no receiver outside of Davante Adams was able to maintain consistent fantasy value. Adams is now gone, and the Packers are left with Tonyan, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Amari Rodgers as their best-receiving weapons. The Packers will be a candidate to acquire receivers this off-season, however, there will be plenty of targets to go around in this now wide-open offense. Rodgers has had a habit in his career of forcing the ball to receivers that he trusts. Since 2012 the only wide receivers to surpass 900 yards are Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and Adams. Rodgers knows who his elite playmakers are, and he tries hard to run the offense through them, even to a fault sometimes. 

That won’t be the case this season, as there is no receiver on the team besides Cobb who has had over 55 receptions or 600 yards in a season. Cobb himself is turning 32 this Summer and isn’t capable of carrying a heavy workload at this stage of his career. Rodgers will be looking for someone in the offense who he’s had success within the past. Tonyan is an obvious candidate to take a major step forward as someone who’s shown chemistry with Rodgers in the past. In 2020, Rodgers had a 148.3 passer rating when targeting Tonyan, who also had one of the best target separation grades in the league. 

Coming off a season-ending injury, Tonyan is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab. The Packers hinted at having him back early on in the season, but we’re noncommittal which is typical at this stage. With how fast players are coming back from injuries nowadays, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tonyan on the field in week 1. He will likely be limited at least to start the year, but is ranked as a borderline top 25 TE, he is basically free in startups. This is a player who could have value deeper into the season as Rodger’s go-to red zone target. At a position that is touchdown or bust for the most part outside the top 6 players, Tonyan provides more upside than some of the tight ends drafted around him. He’ll be a player that I’ll be consistently targeting later in my drafts this Summer. 

Brevin Jordan

Jordan is another tight end who’s being ranked as a lower TE2 who could have a major role going into 2022. The Texans selected him in the 5th round of last year’s draft from the University of Miami.  He was a player who was known to play all over the field and was a dangerous weapon with the ball in his hands. His accolades include earning second-team All-ACC twice, first-team All- ACC once, and being a 2020 Mackey Award finalist. Jordan went to a great spot in Houston, which didn’t have any high-level tight ends to compete with for playing time. After starting off on the inactive list for the first seven games, he caught 20 passes for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns to finish his campaign. Jordan managed to score double-digit fantasy points in three of those outings and was Houston’s most effective fantasy tight end. Although not exciting numbers, the offense as a whole struggled. No one outside of Brandin Cooks was able to maintain fantasy relevance. 

In 2022, Brevin Jordan has the chance to grow into a more full-time role with Houston and could become a focal point of the offense. Jordan Akins is gone, and Pharaoh Brown is hardly inspiring competition. Furthermore, Brandin Cooks might not be on the team in 2022 as he is rumored to be on the trading block. With Nico Collins and Chris Conley as the leading receivers behind him, the offense is completely devoid of talent. The Texans have holes across their entire roster as well and are unlikely to add significant competition at tight end. With David Mills showing competent quarterback ability, Jordan has the opportunity for a high volume of targets. I’ve seen Jordan go a bit early for me in some drafts this off-season, as he’s not a top 15 guy for me. However. in the TE20s we’re drafting long shots anyway, and Jordan has as good a shot as any in this range to succeed. Tight ends tend to take a year or two to develop, so taking a shot on a young and talented one late in drafts could pay dividends down the road. At a talent bare position, any player who is projected to be a key part of the offense has value. 

Hayden Hurst

For my last tight-end sleeper, I’m going deep down the ranks to a rarely talked about, but talented player. Hayden Hurst is finally going to have an opportunity to lead a depth chart after playing behind Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts over the last few years. Hurst is a former first-round pick in the 2018 draft, who recently signed a 1 year/$3.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He will be looking to bounce back with a new franchise after a disappointing start to his career in Baltimore and Atlanta. Despite being drafted ahead of Mark Andrews, he was overtaken quickly by the pro bowl tight end and was never given the opportunity to flourish with the Ravens. After being acquired by Atlanta in 2020, Hurst had a mini breakout going for 571 yards and 6 touchdowns. This was good for TE9 in PPR leagues. Unfortunately for Hurst, the Falcons added Kyle Pitts in last year’s draft leaving him once again in a secondary role. His playing time dwindled as the season went on, and there was little room for him on the Falcons rebuilding roster. 

Fast forward to 2022 and Hurst projects to be the starting tight end for one of the best offenses in the league. Hurst is still a former first-round pick who came into the league as a fierce competitor with great hands. Gaining separation from defenders and blocking have been a problem in the NFL. However, he did show he has low TE1 upside in his one starting season with the Falcons in 2020. Burrow is an elite NFL quarterback who has shown he can support multiple fantasy options. With so much attention being devoted to Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, Hurst will likely have opportunities to feast underneath. A high-powered offense like this also will feature plenty of red zone opportunities, which are essential to most tight ends fantasy production. 

C.J Uzomah had developed into a solid player for the Bengals, but he’s far from an elite tight-end talent. Hayden Hurst has the upside to at least hold a similar role in this offense as a mid-tier TE2. Currently being ranked as a borderline top 30 TE in most dynasty rankings, Hurst likely won’t cost you anything to acquire this off-season. While not likely a weekly starter, Hurst could be a great bye week filler, or a low-end flex option when injuries begin to set in. The upside is always there for a tight end in an elite offense. I expect Hurst to rise in rankings over the Summer as media coverage of his work with Burrow emerges. 

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The Buffalo Bills just mopped the floor against their AFC East nemesis in the New England Patriots in the AFC wildcard round. The Bills are clearly firing on all cylinders, as Josh Allen seeks his first Lombardi trophy. The Bills are simply a juggernaut AFC team that should be competing for playoff prominence every season in the foreseeable future.

With that said, the 2022 draft is on the horizon and the Bills will look to fuel their talented stride in pursuit of a potential dynasty team. So, where could Bills Mafia look to grow in the 2022 NFL draft? Well, let’s go under the microscope in this Bills 7 round mock draft.

1. Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State

The Big 10 stud Chris Olave has been a prominent football player in each of his last three seasons. Olave ousted 12 touchdowns in 2019, seven touchdowns in 2020, and 13 touchdowns in 2021. Olave has been slated to be a late first round pick, so he could fall right in the hands of the Bills. They may be hoping he doesn’t post an overly fast 40 time, as well. He can perform blistering 40 times like in the 4.35-4.40 range, but if he unleashes a late 4.20 time, he could get picked very high (perhaps too high). We’ve seen players like John Ross and Dri Archer run 40 times that broke the 40-yard dash record or came close to breaking it and they both unraveled to be NFL busts.

It’s well known that Stefon Diggs is a gifted WR and a Top 10 WR in the league, but the Bills could really use a top notch WR across from him. The second leading receiver in receiving yardage last season was the slot WR Cole Beasley, who obtained 693 yards. The Bills could go defense here, but I don’t think they will pass up on a talented playmaker that can take Josh Allen to an even higher level. We witnessed the Chiefs select Clyde Edwards Helaire after winning the Super Bowl. Don’t be surprised if the Bills load up on firepower and come out “guns blazing” in 2022.

2. Breece Hall – RB – Iowa State

The Bills can have a well balanced, potent offense by going WR-RB in the first two rounds of the draft. The Iowa State RB Breece Hall would be a fine value pick and clear upgrade over Devin Singletary. The young buck Singletary has proudly shown Frank Gore & Adrian Peterson can be the bell-cow in Buffalo. Yet, he’s not a Top 12 RB or a RB that can help Buff unleash a dynasty like offense.

The addition of Breece Hall would really keep defenses on their heels and it would work wonders for the Bills play action game. Hall has flat-out been a monster in 2021 and 2020. He’s ran for 41 touchdowns in the past two seasons combined and a combined 3,000+ rushing yards from the past two seasons. Don’t be surprised if the Bills even select Hall in the first round if he continues to rise up the board.

3. Derion Kendrick – CB – University of Georgia

The Bills can get their much needed secondary help early in the draft with the selection of Derion Kendrick. The Georgia Bulldog was a fine tuned fourth year player in 2021 and that was evident of his All SEC second team placing. He recorded an impressive four interceptions, while being a routine shutdown corner. The Bills secondary is superb and it’s reflected in their number one pass defense (and number one overall defense), but they could use an upgrade at CB on paper. A healthy Tre’Davious white joined by Kendrick could help the Bills be sure-fire AFC favorites next season (assuming the offense does its part).

4. Trey McBride – TE – Colorado State

The Colorado State TE really cemented himself has one of the top TEs in the 2022 draft in the 2021 season. McBride had staggering 1,121 yards and 90 receptions on route to earning associated press All American in 2021. He was flat out one of the best Colorado State players in the past decade. Dawson Knox has been reliable for Allen, but McBride could flat out be an upgrade in the near future. It would make too much sense if the Bills added a young TE at this stage in the draft.

5. Khalil Shakir – WR – Boise State (trade up – send 5th and 7th round pick in 2022, sixth round pick in 2023)

When you turn on Khalil Shakir’s tape, it brings back a lot of memories of Percy Harvin. Shakir was dynamite in 2021 and it’s reflected with his 14.5 YPC, 1,117 yards, and 7 touchdowns. Shakir would be a nice future replacement for Beasley, hands down.

6. Trade for TE Hayden Hurst

I could completely see the Falcons keeping Hayden Hurst in the 2022 offseason, especially with Calvin Ridley’s future up in the air. At first glance, it would just make a ton of sense for the two sides to agree on a one-year prove it deal. With that said, I’d love to see the Bills deliver a draft pick to the Falcons for the veteran TE. Hurst has a lot of potential and he’s somewhat underperformed in 2021 due to missing three games. He would be the perfect steal at the TE position for the Bills offense.

7. Tanner McKee – QB – Stanford

It would be ideal for the Bills to ink a QB2 this offseason. I’d love to see the Bills go after Tanner McKee or a sharp, workaholic QB in the back end of the draft. It’s unlikely that Allen becomes a regular victim to the injury bug, but his playing style may come to haunt him in rare moments in the future. I don’t believe it would be best for the Bills to follow the Chiefs blueprint with a very old, familiar QB2 (aka Chad Henne).

Fun fact: Tanner McKee (31) is six years older than Josh Allen (25). Yes, you read that correctly.

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