The biggest lesson the Cincinnati Bengals learned in 2023 revolved around quarterback Joe Burrow. When he's out there and fully healthy, there isn't a team they can't beat. When he isn't out there, everything else needs to be perfect for them to have a chance.
Not exactly the most groundbreaking revelation, but it's their reality for better or worse.
Burrow's importance to the Bengals goes with question or further explanation, as it does for the other known stars on the team like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson. But what about the newer names to the team? Cincinnati made more than three veteran additions this offseason, but these three in particular can truly elevate the Bengals to new heights this season.
TE Mike Gesicki
Speaking of new heights, how about a 6-6 tight end? Gesicki is essentially a jumbo-sized wide receiver who plays about half the time in the slot, but he works above the rim better than most at his position when he's thrown accurate passes. That just hasn't been the case for most of his career.
Enter Joe Burrow, one of the most accurate passers in NFL history. The fit should be like a glove .
Gesicki is the exact down-the-middle vertical weapon Burrow and the Bengals have needed for the past two years as they've struggled to evolve their offense since the 2021 season. Safeties will have to be wary of Gesicki in the seams instead of constantly focusing their attention on Chase and Higgins on the boundary. It's like a missing ingredient has found its way to a five-star dish.
OT Trent Brown
Weapons like Gesicki do a lot for the offense, but quality offensive line play allows the scheme to be functional against elite game-breakers. The AFC North is littered with them at the edge defender position, including the likes of Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.
Despite his age and history of missing games, Brown became one of the best answers Cincinnati could've found to better protect Burrow from the elite pass rushers of the division. He's at his best on an island in one-on-one situations, which he'll experience quite a bit for the Bengals at right tackle.
The stability of Brown when he's on the field is set to be a major boost to the Bengals' o-line, and when that unit looks better than a liability, the team typically performs well.
DT Sheldon Rankins
Cincinnati's pass-rushing department over the past two years has been Hendrickson and... well pretty much just him. Finding a quality 3-technique who can push the pocket and make Hendrickson's job on the edge easier was a clear priority for the Bengals this offseason, so they went out and got the guy who sacked Burrow three times in one game last year.
Rankins was on the Bengals' radar for years before finally inking him to a two-year deal back in March. They finally have him at 30 years of age, but he's paired with two other defensive tackles who can be trusted with significant snaps in B.J. Hill and rookie Kris Jenkins. He won't have to be out there for 50+ snaps a game, keeping him fresh when he's needed most.
Cincinnati's Super Bowl run was aided by a quality three-player rotation at defensive tackle. Rankins gives them a quality pass rusher to round out a much-needed new trio.
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