Bengals soar to top AFC spot in NFL analyst’s post-NFL Draft power rankings

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Bengals have been ranked as the top team in the AFC by analyst Chase Senior following the NFL Draft, thanks to key additions like Dexter Lawrence and Cashius Howell. Joe Burrow's health and the team's improved defense are highlighted as crucial factors for their potential success.

Key points

Cincinnati Bengals ranked top in AFC post-NFL Draft
Analyst Chase Senior cites improvements on defense
Key additions include Dexter Lawrence and Cashius Howell
Joe Burrow's health is vital for team success
Bengals showed potential despite Burrow's injuries last season

Cincinnati BengalsDenver Broncos

Dec 28, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates following his touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Bengals added solid players in free agency, but it still felt like there was a hole or two on the defense. Then they filled that hole with Dexter Lawrence. After that, they added some spunk to the pass rush by drafting Cashius Howell in the second round. For those reasons and more, Chase Senior of Chat Sports has the Bengals as the best team in the AFC in his post-Draft rankings. When asked why, he responded with:

When Joe Burrow is healthy, might be the second best QB in the NFL. Chase and Higgins are an elite WR duo.. Major improvements on defense: trading for Dexter Lawrence, signed Boye Mafe, , , drafted Cassius [sic] Howell and . Last year with Burrow missing a ton of time, they were still 12th in PPG, 3rd in red zone scoring. Achilles heel has been their defense which I think is much better Hard to argue with that. While we’ve seen other analysts and even oddsmakers recently show doubt in the Bengals’ chances of being a contender next season, we all know this team has the potential for a special season, so it’s good to see someone else believes in this team’s potential. We recapped the Draft and the Lawrence trade in our most recent show.

Q&A

Why are the Cincinnati Bengals considered the best team in the AFC post-NFL Draft?

The Bengals are viewed as the best team in the AFC due to significant improvements in their defense, including the addition of Dexter Lawrence and the drafting of Cashius Howell.

What key players did the Bengals acquire during the NFL Draft?

The Bengals drafted Cashius Howell in the second round and signed players like Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Kyle Dugger to strengthen their roster.

How did Joe Burrow's performance impact the Bengals' ranking?

Joe Burrow's health is crucial; when healthy, he is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, contributing to the Bengals' high scoring potential.