Kevin Szafraniec kicks off his deep dive into the AFC North by identifying the best and worst picks on the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster in 2026 best ball drafts.
Oh, what could have been.
This seems like the mantra fantasy managers recite every season when daydreaming about the potential of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense.
After the team reached the Super Bowl in the first year of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase’s time together in the NFL, it was assumed the good times were only getting started. While we have continued to see some outlandish box scores from the duo, Cincinnati has not made the playoffs in three seasons as injuries and a patchwork defense continue to hold them back.
Yet, there continues to be a lingering aura in Cincinnati that Burrow and Chase are constantly on the verge of doing something historic. Will 2026 be the year the stars align and we see the duo blow the doors off fantasy football while making their way into the NFL record books?
In this series, we will focus on best ball ADP from the FFPC slim format, which features 20-round drafts, tight-end premium scoring (1.5 points per TE reception and 1.0 PPR for all other positions), and starting lineups consisting of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, and two standard flex spots.
Catch up on all the previous installments of this series:
AFC South
- Will the Colts Come to Regret Their Massive Offseason Investments?
- Searching for Offensive Rhythm in Tennessee
- It’s a Make-or-Break Year for C.J. Stroud and the Houston Passing Game
- How Many Players Will Deliver on Jacksonville’s Loaded Offense?
AFC East
- Miami’s Entire Offense is an Enigma Shrouded in Mystery
- Is New England About to Get Hit With a Heaping Helping of Regression?
- Should Drafters Buy Into the Jets’ Youth Movement?
- Despite All of the Turnover in Buffalo, Little Has Actually Changed
NFC North
- Does Chicago’s System or Players Deserve More Credit for the Bears’ Success?
- Uncertainty Lingers Just Underneath the Surface in Detroit
- Don’t Be Fooled by the Illusion of Certainty in Green Bay
- The Vikings’ Passing Attack is Primed for a Quick Turnaround
NFC East
- Should You Risk an Early Malik Nabers Selection?
- Can the Cowboys Offense Support Two Top-10 Receivers?
- Is Saquon Barkley Poised for a Bounceback in 2026?
- Is a Healthy Jayden Daniels in the Overall QB1 Conversation?
NFC West
- Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba the Only Game in Town for the Defending Champs?
- Offseason Upgrades Could Fuel a Dominant Rams Rushing Attack
- Young Superstars are Arizona’s Fantasy Oasis
- Are San Francisco’s Stars Closer to the Lombardi Trophy or the Retirement Home?
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