Joe Burrow has already been the face of plenty of big Bengals moments, but PFF just handed him a version of Cincinnati that looks a whole lot more complete.
As part of its celebration of 20 years of NFL data, PFF put together All-PFF teams for every franchise using its database that goes back to the 2006 season. For the Bengals, the result is a roster that gives Burrow the kind of support he hasn’t always had in Cincinnati.
The offensive side is loaded with help. Burrow is joined by Joe Mixon in the backfield, and the receiver group is as intimidating as it gets: A.J.
Green, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. That trio would be the best wide receiver group the league has ever seen.
Up front, though, is where the difference really jumps off the page. Andrew Whitworth, Clint Boling, Kyle Cook, Kevin Zeitler, and Andre Smith make up an offensive line that would have changed a lot about the early stretch of Burrow’s career.
PFF also noted an interesting decision at receiver, with Higgins taking the third spot over Chad Johnson. Johnson is one of the greatest players in franchise history, but his top production came before the PFF grading era began.
The defense leans heavily on the Bengals’ strong 2010s core. Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Vontaze Burfict, Adam Jones, and Reggie Nelson all made the team.
The current group is represented well, too. Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, Mike Hilton, DJ Reader, Sam Hubbard, and Jessie Bates III all earned spots on the roster. PFF said there were some difficult calls on that side of the ball, especially with Hilton winning the slot cornerback job and Reader getting the nod at defensive tackle next to Atkins.
Dexter Lawrence, the Bengals’ newest addition, could still make the team in the 30th edition of the All-Bengals team.
With Burrow protected by that line and throwing to Chase, Green, and Higgins, while an elite defense backs it all up, it’s not hard to picture this group rolling. A 14-3 record feels realistic, and anything less than a deep playoff run would look like a major letdown with that much talent on both sides of the ball.
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