In the Rokhed NFL Dynasty draft, the Bengals managed to secure the 9th spot in the draft order, but unfortunately, their performance left much to be desired. With a draft grade of D+, it seems like the Bengals might need to rethink their strategy. Projected to finish 11th with a record of 6-8-0, it's safe to say that the Bengals are not exactly instilling fear in their opponents. Their projected points of 1678.4 might sound impressive, but with the 6th toughest schedule out of 20 teams, they'll need more than just luck to come out on top.
While the Bengals did have a few bright spots in their draft, such as snagging Darnell Mooney at 169 when their ADP was 132, they also made some questionable choices. The worst pick of the draft goes to Brian Robinson, who was selected at 109 despite having an ADP of 100. It seems like the Bengals were willing to take a risk, but it didn't quite pay off. Additionally, the Bengals went all-in on a single team, drafting not one, not two, but three players from the same team. While it's always exciting to see teammates unite, it remains to be seen if this strategy will lead to success or a whole lot of disappointment.
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ADP Analysis
Bars above zero indicate a pick was selected later than a player's ADP. Bars below zero show players that were taken earlier than their ADP.
Inside the Draft
Player Outlooks
- Round 1, Pick 9 - Bye 11
2023 Rank: 114 - 2022 Rank: 14
Typically when each season ends, Cousins puts up very good seasonal numbers. It's the week-to-week ride that can be very problematic for fantasy managers. He threw for the second-most yardage of his career last year, but don't forget we're in a 17-game season these days, so those numbers can be skewed a bit. Cousins threw 14 interceptions in 2022, which was his highest total in a season to go along with 29 touchdowns. And although he's great for having explosive games, Cousins had three games with at least three touchdown passes, he often goes flat. He had eight games in which he threw zero or one touchdown. Cousins also had three games in which he failed to surpass 175 passing yards. Still not enough? He had four games with multiple interceptions. Cousins' ceiling games make him an excellent option in best ball leagues. But in redraft leagues, the implosion games are often unpredictable, and that makes him better as a QB2 in leagues that start a single quarterback. He's obviously a great option in leagues that start two quarterbacks.
- Round 2, Pick 29 - Bye 7
2023 Rank: 110 - 2022 Rank: 543
Collins finished third on the Texans with 66 targets last season, and he's remarkably the only player among the team's top six in that category returning in 2023 for a remade Houston passing attack that also will be helmed by a new QB -- rookie second overall pick C.J. Stroud. Brandin Cooks (93 targets in 2022) and Chris Moore (74) both left for greener pastures, but the Texans brought in a bevy of WRs to replace those outgoing options. Houston signed Robert Woods and Noah Bown in free agency, drafted Nathaniel Dell (third round) and Xavier Hutchinson (sixth round), and should get 2022 second-round pick John Metchie back after he missed his entire rookie season. The Texans also have a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik, so Collins won't have much of an incumbent advantage, but the 2021 third-round pick should be ticketed for a prominent role if he can stay healthy after missing 10 games due to injuries over his first two seasons. In the 24 games he played, Collins caught 70 of 126 targets for 927 yards and three touchdowns, but his efficiency could improve significantly if Stroud proves to be an upgrade over Davis Mills, who remains on the roster after starting at QB in each of Collins' first two seasons. Collins' 6-foot-4 frame could theoretically make him an enticing target in the red zone, though such success hasn't materialized in what's been a lackluster Houston offense in recent years.
- Round 3, Pick 49 - Bye 6
2023 Rank: 100 - 2022 Rank: 184
Dillon has seen his yards per carry go down each season, and his 4.1 was more than a yard worse than his rookie season. He also saw his total yardage fall by 150 yards although he did post a career high by scoring seven touchdowns. He's not very good at breaking tackles, as he's in the 17th percentile, but he did turn that into the 67th percentile in yards after contact. Although his workload was limited in 2022, while Aaron Jones was dealing with nagging injuries, Dillon saw his workload increase down the stretch. He was rarely used as a receiver catching just 15 passes over his last 11 games. It would appear that Jones will have the leg up going into the season, which would make Dillon more of a reserve player. Last year he was being aggressively drafted as having standalone value. Unless Green Bay changes its approach, expect closer to a repeat of Dillon's usage and production from last year.
- Round 4, Pick 69 - Bye 9
2023 Rank: 255 - 2022 Rank: 600
It remains to be seen how new coach Sean Payton assesses the Denver tight end room, but the since-fired Nathaniel Hackett was certainly a huge fan of Dulcich. Despite missing a handful of OTAs with what was initially described as a core injury and then almost all of training camp with a nagging hamstring issue, Hackett made Dulcich a foundational piece of the team offense, handing Dulcich not just the starting role but a heavy target rate immediately upon his return in Week 6, despite never actually being healthy enough to compete for the job in practice. With minimal blocking assignments, Dulcich was allowed to function basically like Denver's WR3 alongside Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. Dulcich is a liability as a blocker and is both smaller and much slower than Albert Okwuegbunam, but it's possible that Dulcich is good enough as a route runner that it doesn't matter. In addition to Okwuegbunam, Dulcich needs to hold off former Saints tight end Adam Trautman, who's a superior blocker to both Dulcich and Okwuegbunam.
DEF - Round 5, Pick 89 - Bye 7
2023 Rank: 151 - 2022 Rank: 9
Between Dan Quinn's revitalization as a coordinator and some outstanding drafting in recent years, the Cowboys' defense has become one of the league's elite fantasy options. The team led the NFL in takeaways while finishing tied for third in sacks and tied for fifth in points per game allowed in 2022, as Micah Parsons led an aggressive, attacking unit that didn't give quarterbacks much chance to get comfortable. The front office didn't rest on those laurels though, trading for Stephon Gilmore to provide a veteran presence opposite ballhawking cornerback Trevin Diggs and drafting Mazi Smith late in the first round to bolster the middle of the defensive line. Young players like edge rusher Sam Williams and linebacker Damone Clark could also take big steps forward this season, but Parsons remains the star attraction. As long as he's disrupting plays all over the field, this should be one of the league's best defenses,
- Round 6, Pick 109 - Bye 14
2023 Rank: 27 - 2022 Rank: 297
A third-round pick in 2022 out of Alabama, Robinson's rookie campaign started out in shocking fashion when he was shot during an attempted robbery. He made his debut in Week 5 and was quickly pushed into a prominent early-down role by former offensive coordinator Scott Turner, who seemed to blame Antonio Gibson for his own failures. While Robinson delivered decent volume numbers, his inability to shed tacklers and gain yards after contact kept him from separating himself from his competition and establishing himself as the Commanders' lead back of the future. Turner has since been replaced by former Kansas City coordinator Eric Bieniemy, and it's not clear whether Robinson, Gibson, or even 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez will emerge as the top option in Washington's backfield. If Robinson isn't in a workhorse role though, it's tough to see him making much of an impact due to his lack of passing-down work and ineffectiveness in short-yardage situations.
- Round 7, Pick 129 - Bye 11
2023 Rank: 104 - 2022 Rank: 40
Williams had a strong fantasy season with the Lions in 2022. He blew away his previous career highs with 262 carries and 1,066 yards, and his league-leading 17 rushing TDs were more than he scored through his first five years in the league combined (13). However, his use as a receiver evaporated. After catching at least 25 passes in each of his first five years, he had only 12 receptions in 2022. Once valued for versatility, Williams produced his best fantasy season while handling a more one-dimensional role. He now heads to New Orleans, where Alvin Kamara is suspended for the first three games of the season but QB/TE Taysom Hill ensures there will be competition for goal-line carries all the same. If the Saints view Williams the way the Packers once did, he could catch more passes over the first three weeks than he did all of last season, though the receiving volume would then figure to fall off a cliff upon Kamara's return. Further complicating matters is the presence of rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller, who could also get carries early in the season. It's probably best to view Williams as an RB2 for September and a question mark thereafter, though his history of varied usage suggests there are quite a few different ways things could play out.
- Round 8, Pick 149 - Bye 9
2023 Rank: 112 - 2022 Rank: -
Mims could very well prove a steal of a late-second-round pick, considering he was a remarkably productive player at Oklahoma, boasting absurd efficiency stats even as the team's most-targeted receiver. Mims just turned 21 in March, yet in his Oklahoma career he caught 123 passes for 2,398 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 183 targets (67.2 percent catch rate, 13.1 yards per target). It's highly unusual for a receiver to produce efficiency stats like that as a team's lead target over a three-year span, especially all before turning 21. With sub-4.4 wheels and a rare ability to track downfield passes, Mims could be the next T.Y. Hilton or something similar. Even if he is, though, it might take a year for Mims to get the space to prove it, as he's unlikely to be more than the No. 3 receiver in an offense that already has Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton.
- Round 9, Pick 169 - Bye 11
2023 Rank: 150 - 2022 Rank: 536
Mooney had a strong season in 202, but with the Bears starting the 2022 season with an offense that had no intention of passing the football, he got off to a horrible start. He had four catches for 27 yards through the first three games. Finally, Chicago started to address their passing attack. Mooney went on to post at least 50 yards in each of his next five games, and in his final eight games, he averaged 58 yards per game. He then suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. With the Bears adding DJ Moore to the wide receiver rotation, Mooney now should slot in as the second option. And with the full expectation that the team will try to feature Justin Fields as a passer, the offense has a chance to explode. If that happens, Mooney is in a great position to have a bounce-back season. Even if he doesn't see the massive target share he saw in 2021, he'll see less attention, and the quality of targets could improve. Mooney can win routes at all levels of the field. He'll have every opportunity to have a productive season. He may be severely undervalued in fantasy drafts if the Bears offense breaks out.
- Round 10, Pick 189 - Bye 5
2023 Rank: 252 - 2022 Rank: 614
Otton was targeted a respectable 65 times as a rookie. After posting 64 and 68 yards in Weeks 7 and 9, it was beginning to look like he'd be a fantasy factor down the stretch. Unfortunately, he fell off after those solid games, as Otton was held to fewer than 30 yards in each of his last seven contests. It also didn't help that he dropped four passes, and his 38th-percentile yards after the catch was ordinary. With Tom Brady gone, there's no telling how the offense will do. It may be tough for Otton to match the nine games in which he had five or more targets. He'll likely be a depth tight end going into 2023 drafts.
- Round 11, Pick 209 - Bye 11
2023 Rank: 237 - 2022 Rank: 481
Pierce is coming off a boom-or-bust rookie season. The 2022 second-round pick out of Cincinnati caught 41 of 78 targets for 593 yards and two touchdowns, including seven catches for 243 yards and a touchdown on his 15 deep targets. Pierce ranked third on the team in targets as a rookie, but the speedy big-play threat is penciled into a starting role opposite Michael Pittman (141 targets in 2022) after the Colts let Parris Campbell (91 targets) walk in free agency. Indianapolis added slot receivers Josh Downs and Isaiah McKenzie to replace Campbell, but the team's most impactful offseason changes came under center. The Colts parted ways with Matt Ryan and brought in fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson, as well as free agent Gardner Minshew. Richardson's strong arm and Pierce's 4.41 speed could make for an intriguing downfield combination, but it remains to be seen if the raw rookie has the accuracy to consistently link up with the second-year wideout.
- Round 12, Pick 229 - Bye 13
2023 Rank: 292 - 2022 Rank: 761
Taken in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Robinson was seen as the potential slot replacement for brittle veteran Sterling Shepard. While Shepard predictably got hurt early in the season, the rookie couldn't take advantage as he suffered two knee injuries of his own, including a season-ending ACL tear. Robinson didn't have elite speed or impressive measurables to begin with, so he likely can't afford to return less than 100 percent healthy if he wants to stay in the Giants' plans. New York also added Parris Campbell in the offseason on a one-year deal to make the slot receiver picture even murkier. If Robinson regains the form he flashed last year between knee injuries though, a stretch capped by a nine-reception, 100-yard performance during his final game of the year in Week 11, he could establish himself as the future of the team's receiving corps alongside 2023 third-round pick Jalin Hyatt.
- Round 13, Pick 249 - Bye 13
2023 Rank: 1122 - 2022 Rank: 118
After showing promise in his first two seasons in the NFL, Okereke emerged as a top inside linebacker across the second half of his rookie contract. Between 2021 and 2022 combined, he piled up 283 tackles for the Colts and was available for all 34 games. The third-round pick out of Stanford turned that production into a four-year, $40 million contract from the Giants this offseason. He'll enjoy working behind Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence, both of whom should help occupy blockers and keep Okereke clean to make plays. Okereke will immediately be counted upon as a leader in the middle of coordinator Don Martindale's scheme, as both of the Giants' top two tacklers from 2022 (Julian Love and Jaylon Smith) departed in free agency.
- Round 14, Pick 269 - Bye 7
2023 Rank: 289 - 2022 Rank: 1412
Metchie sat out his entire rookie season after being diagnosed with leukemia, but the 2022 second-round pick is expected to return healthy this season. He had 1,142 yards and eight TDs at Alabama in 2021 prior to being drafted 44th overall by the Texans. Metchie will have a chance to carve out a prominent role in Houston's new-look passing attack once he recovers from the hamstring strain he suffered during offseason workouts. Metchie, along with 2023 draft picks Nathaniel Dell (third round) and Xavier Hutchinson (sixth round) have yet to suit up in the NFL, while the more experienced Robert Woods, Nico Collins and Noah Brown all fell short of 600 receiving yards last season. Metchie's capable of emerging out of that underwhelming group as the top wide receiver for rookie second overall pick C.J. Stroud, or at least as a starter. While Metchie's floor is low after a year away from football, there's certainly upside here given the lack of established options ahead of him and the high likelihood that Houston will be forced to pass while playing from behind after going 11-38-1 over the previous three seasons.
- Round 15, Pick 289 - Bye 5
2023 Rank: 305 - 2022 Rank: 533
Edmonds started last year with the Dolphins and was paid to be the lead back, but he didn't seem to fit with the system and fell into a minor role. Then after being shipped to Denver at the trade deadline, he suffered a high-ankle sprain. However, with his 26 carries for the Broncos, he looked more like the version of himself when he was with the Cardinals the previous four years. Now with the Buccaneers, he only has to beat out Rachaad White for a role in the offense. As an afterthought in drafts, spending a late pick makes sense due to potential role and upside.
- Round 16, Pick 309 - Bye 14
2023 Rank: 1130 - 2022 Rank: 114
Wagner suited up for a team other than the Seahawks for the first time in 2022, as he signed with the division-rival Rams. He has managed at least 100 tackles in each of his 11 seasons as a pro and has proven he can remain productive as he heads into the back end of his career. In fact, he showed a new facet to his game, racking up a career-high six sacks with Los Angeles. Despite things going well away from Seattle on a personal level, Wagner returned to the Seahawks on a one-year deal this offseason. He'll certainly be locked into a starting role, and with Jordyn Brooks on the mend from an ACL tear, Wagner should have the chance to lead the team in tackles.
- Round 17, Pick 329 - Bye 13
2023 Rank: 282 - 2022 Rank: 529
Claypool was traded midseason from the Steelers to the Bears last year. He played seven games with Chicago but had only 14 receptions for 140 yards as a part-timer in a run-heavy offense. This season, Claypool should slot in behind DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney as the third option in the passing attack. Tight end Cole Kmet will be involved as well, and Claypool will have to work for targets. At 6-foot-4, 238, with 4.42 speed, Claypool has both the size and speed to grow into a big role. Of course, Claypool didn't show much improvement during his years with the Steelers, so it's possible that a breakout will never occur.
- Round 18, Pick 349 - Bye 11
2023 Rank: 554 - 2022 Rank: 178
Grant had a modest rookie season, playing nearly as much on special teams as he did on the Falcons' defensive unit. However, he took a major step forward after winning a starting job in 2022 and became a near-every-down player. That allowed him to total 123 tackles, seven pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery across 17 games. Despite that production, the Falcons added Jessie Bates to their secondary this offseason, creating competition for Grant. Specifically, he will have to compete with Jaylinn Hawkins for the starting strong safety job. The end result could be a rotation at the position, so Grant comes with significant risk to take a step back from his 2022 production.
- Round 19, Pick 369 - Bye 6
2023 Rank: 294 - 2022 Rank: 124
Last year, Boswell only made 71.4 percent of his field-goal attempts, which ended his streak of at least 90 percent in each of the previous three years. However, it should be taken into account that he attempted only 28 field goals, 19 of which were from 40 yards or longer. He only made half of the 40-49 yard attempts, but impressively went 7-for-9 from 50 yards or more, following his 8-for-9 record from the previous year. It's of course worth noting that Boswell missed five games and was attached to a terrible offense. He'll likely be healthier this year, but improvement from the Pittsburgh offense appears closer to a 50/50 proposition, largely depending on the progress of second-year QB Kenny Pickett.
- Round 20, Pick 389 - Bye 7
2023 Rank: 1648 - 2022 Rank: 265
- Round 21, Pick 409 - Bye 13
2023 Rank: 1920 - 2022 Rank: 608
Team Forecast
Bye Week Points Lost
Each bar represents the total projected season points for each player that's on bye that week. This chart shows any potential bye week issues.
Schedule by Opponent Points
Week-by-week schedule with each opponent's projected season points. This chart shows any difficult or easy stretches in the schedule.
