Our next overview of AFC North opponents examines the Cincinnati Bengals, who finished in third place in the division last season.

I honestly feel as though the Bengals have the best chance of the Steelers three AFC North to rebound from the poor 2016 campaign.

Here’s an overview of the Cincinnati Bengals needs for the upcoming 2017 season, and why I think they can do better than the Browns and Ravens.

2016 Rankings

Record: 6-9-1, 3rd AFC North

Offense	Rank
Yards / Game	17
Yards / Play	18
Rushing Yards / Game	13
Rushing Yards / Play	23
Passing Yards / Game	15
Passing Yards / Play	13
Interception Rate	7
Sacks / Pass Attempt	26
First Downs / Game	9
Punt Return Avg	28
Kickoff Return Avg	3
Field Goals Made	3
3rd Down Pct	24
4th Down Pct	15
Red Zone Pct	18
Goal to Go%	17t
Avg Time of Possession	21
Points / Game	24

Defense	Rank
Yards / Game	17
Yards / Play	11
Rushing Yards / Game	21
Rushing Yards / Play	23
Passing Yards / Game	11
Passing Yards / Play	8
Interception Rate	8
Sacks / Pass Attempt	22
First Downs / Game	18
Punt Return Avg	27
Kickoff Return Avg	19
3rd Down Pct	17
4th Down Pct	15
Red Zone Pct	7
Goal to Go%	4
Points / Game	8
Point Differential / Game	19
Yard Differential / Game	15

Passing Leaders	Att	Comp	Yards	TDs	INT
Andy Dalton	563	364	4,206	18	15

Rushing Leaders	Att	Yards	Avg	TDs	FUM
Jeremy Hill	222	839	3.8	9	0
Rex Burkhead	74	344	4.6	2	1
Giovani Bernard	91	337	3.7	2	1

Receiving Leaders	Rec	Yds	Avg	TDs
A.J. Green	66	984	14.6	4
Brandon LaFell	64	862	13.5	6
Tyler Boyd	54	603	11.2	1
Giovani Bernard	39	336	8.6	1
Tyler Eifert	29	394	13.6	5

Defensive Leaders	Tack	Sack	Fum	INTs
Vontaze Burfict	73	2.0	1	2
Karlos Dansby	69	1.0	0	0
Shawn Williams	59	1.0	1	3
Adam Jones	54	0	1	1
Vincent Rey	48	0	1	1
George Iloka	48	0	0	3
Dre Kirkpatrick	35	0	0	3
Carlos Dunlap	30	8.0	3	0
Geno Atkins	21	9.0	0	0

Free Agency

The Bengals have a number of players ready to hit the open market, should they not resign them before the new league year opens on March 9th.

Among those that may not return:

• Andrew Whitworth, LT
• Eric Winston, OL
• Kevin Zeitler, RG
• Rex Burkhead, RB
• Cedric Peerman, RB
• Brandon LaFell, WR
• Wallace Gilberry, DL
• Margus Hunt, DE
• Domata Peko, DT
• Karlos Dansby, LB
• Dre Kirkpatrick, CB
• Chykie Brown, CB

Looking at the above list, considering none of these players resign, the Bengals find themselves in decent shape at most of these positions. They have routinely prepared to avoid resigning cornerbacks by spending top picks for them in the draft. William Jackson III, who missed all of last season after being taken in the first round, or another former first rounder, Darqueze Denard, could easily step in for Kirkpatrick, and they have both, should one fail to.

Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard are both back as running backs, but will need offensive line to pave the way, as Whitworth and Zeitler both head to free agency.

Brandon LaFell might incur the biggest loss since the Bengals lost Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu last season. Tyler Boyd was taken early in last year’s draft and could grow to be a weapon for Dalton, but as seen last season, when Green goes down, the Bengals had little else to lean on (especially with Eifert on the shelf often).

Draft and Depth Chart Outlook

Biggest needs: C, LB, Edge

What the Bengals don’t having a pressing need for are running backs. Their receiver situation, and offensive line are noted above. Even with Eifert banged up a lot throughout his career, the Bengals are also fairly set at tight end, with Tyler Kroft as his backup.

Like every team, the Bengals will be eyeballing edge rushers, and potentially linebackers as well, if Karlos Dansby heads to free agency. Domato Peko’s replacement could be fourth round 2016 pick Andrew Billings, who also sat out the entire season due to injury. The rest of the starting line is intact, but with Margus Hunt and Wallace Gilberry also on the outside looking in, the Bengals may not have reliable depth along the defensive front.

Billings and WJ3 both project as “extra draft picks” (as Steelers GM Kevin Colbert would call them) meaning second-year players who technically do not have a full year of on-field experience. Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict are fixtures in the linebacking corps. with Vincent Rey a nice number two behind Burfict.

The secondary should be alright without Dre Kirkpatrick, as Pacman Jones come back, with the aforementioned Dennard and WJ3 competing for Dre’s spot.

On special teams Kevin Huber is a reliable punter. Randy Bullock, who played two weeks with the Steelers, replaced long-time, but struggling kicker Mike Nugent midseason. He will compete with Jon Brown for the position in camp.

Conclusion

The Bengals have a number of players returning to full health that could help their team bounce back. Their holes look a bit less than the Ravens, with a settled running back rotation, and a WR1 that’s among the best in the league.

Cincy also has a staggering 11 draft picks coming up in April, with the 9th overall pick. The have two picks each in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th rounds. With that many picks, and most of them earlier in those rounds, they should be able to add at least one, if not two starters via the draft, as well as depth along both lines. The Bengals also have roughly $48 million in cap space, which is 11th in the amount to spend among all teams. They could easily bring back some of their free agents, or sign others.

That’s why I’m not sweating their potential free agent losses as much as Baltimore. Plus, the Bengals are only a year removed from winning the AFC North. That doesn’t mean I think they’ll overtake the Steelers in 2017, but I do believe they’ll have the best shot among the three (Cincy, Baltimore, Cleveland) to do so.