Summer Sleeper: Cincinnati Bengals

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sleeperseries

With less than a month before all training camps have opened around the NFL, we begin our annual series focusing on a few sleepers from all 32 teams in the NFL.

These sleepers all have varying levels of “sleeperness,” but all merit a little more talking about here in the Premium Content section. Some of these players are deep dynasty sleepers who could merit a spot on your bench in a deep league, while others are players who may contribute a little faster than the deep prospects, but deserve more attention than they may be getting. By definition, a sleeper could mean something a little different to everyone, but we’re simply doing the best job we can to unearth one player from each team who fits the category in some way, shape or form.

We’ll never insult you with a comprehensive list of “sleepers” that includes such names as Lamar Miller, Chris Ivory or Danny Amendola. You’re all too good for that.

While many of these players will undoubtedly fizzle, there’s more value in looking more closely at these deeper prospects and players. We invite you to keep an open mind and either or re-assess your value on those who may be rostered in your league or consider adding a few of these deeper prospects we focus on this Summer who are free agents in your league – after all, some are destined to pan out, too.

Feel free to add your own comments about our choice for the designated sleeper, or nominate one of your own!

Cincinnati Bengals

This is a summer of optimism for the Bengals and Head Coach Marvin Lewis as their offensive skill players were the focus of this year’s draft.  Third year quarterback Andy Dalton gets the use of some talented offensive rookies to help move the ball down the field in running back Giovani Bernard and tight end Tyler Eifert.  I expect the  Bengals to spread the ball out more than they have in the past with these new versatile pieces.  This change in philosophy may cause battering ram BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a fullback to be used less often.  The AFC North is known for the smash mouth style, but the Ravens found a world championship with an offensive scheme change, so why not ’em Bengals? Fourth year tight end  Jermaine Gresham was used on as an outlet receiver under Offensive Coordinator (OC) Jay Gruden’s game plan last year; however, with more dynamic play-makers Bernard and Eifert, Gresham may stay into block more often.  Gruden is looking for more dynamic play-makers to fit his arena ball scheme so this may open the door for two sleepers in rookie wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and second year tight end Orson Charles.  While I understand neither of these players are household names, this article isn’t for the 10 team league owners with 18 roster spots, it is for the deep leagues that hold 53+ players and have 14+ teams.

Cobi Hamilton, WR

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The sixth round rookie from Arkansas had a very productive senior college season when he caught 90 balls for 1,335 yards and scored five receiving touchdowns.  The good-sized receiver stands 6′ 2″ and weighs in at 212 pounds, but is on the raw side.  Hamilton gets in and out of his breaks quickly, but tends to round off his routes so sometimes the wide receiver isn’t were he is supposed to be. The former Razorback has an extra gear when the ball is in the air and he usually has no trouble finding the pigskin as he uses his body to shield defenders.  He has the power to get off the line of scrimmage, but occasionally gets knocked around by more seasoned defenders.

However, sometimes weaknesses outweigh strengths as Hamilton has some major concentration issues and goes down quite easily after contact.  For his size, it’s a bit surprising as well as his inability to block downfield.  It seems that the rookie is more disinterested in blocking than not being able to do the task at hand.  He is not the most coordinated athlete and trips over his own feet at times.  Hamilton, also, tends to do a lot of body catching and lacks the body control to adjust to poorly thrown passes. This stiffness may limit him to an outside receiver than one that can work in the slot.  If he wants to eventually become an NFL starter, Hamilton will need to catch the ball with the palms of his hands and increase his catching radius.

When it comes to the Bengals wide receiver corps after AJ Green, no one else has solidified a starting role as of this writing.  Most pundits expect second year Mohamed Sanu to start opposite Green and have their other second year wide receiver Marvin Jones or former CFL standout Andrew Hawkins work in the slot when the Bengals run three receiver sets.  Both Sanu and Jones missed time last season due to injury and this may lead to Hamilton seeing some extended playing time, if that trend continues. Whomever gets the trust and the eye of Dalton will get the chance to be a productive fantasy WR3.

Hamilton is being drafted as the 25th rookie wide receiver according to myfantasyleage.com average draft position, which is after Jacksonville’s Ace Sanders and Green Bay’s Kevin Dorsey.  He is being drafted outside the top 75 rookies and may be quite the value to stash away on a taxi squad.  I doubt he has a major role in the offense this season, but Hamilton could surprise if he can use his physicality and become a more agile receiver.

Orson Charles, TE

Former 2012 fourth rounder Charles is more of an over-sized wide receiver (6′ 3″ 250 pounds) who gets off the line well than a typical NFL tight end.  I would compare him to a less physically talented Eifert with a unique skill set.  The second year tight end did not see much of the field (eight catches for 101 yards on ten targets) when the Bengals were more geared to run the ball, but his skill set favors a spread approach that Cincinnati appears to be moving towards.  He is now a year removed from his DUI and hopefully Charles has put that trouble behind him.

Charles has good game speed and can get separation quickly, but doesn’t run disciplined routes.  Although he wasn’t used much in this regard last year, the tight end is a solid red zone target and is a willing blocker who can line up all over the field.  He is fairly athletic, has soft hands which he uses well to catch the ball away from his body and is very durable.   I am concerned with his sloppy route running and his concentration issues as he will make a spectacular reception on one play and drop an easy pass on the next.

If OC Gruden can use Charles as another special chess piece, their offense will be tough to predict.  He is being drafted outside the top 51 tight ends according to myfantasyleague.com average draft position and I would expect him to play a bigger role in the offense in 2014 as chances are that the more traditional tight end Gresham will move on when his rookie contract expires.  Unlike Eifert, Charles could play an in-line tight end role if the offense needed him to do so.  This would be very helpful for him to see more playing time especially in run-first situations.  If you have the extra roster spots, you could do much worse to invest a little bit in Hamilton and Charles, while they may not be very productive in 2013, they both have good upside for 2014 and beyond.

If you have any fantasy questions that you need answered quickly, please follow me on twitter @AndrewMiley.