Benson a major value play this year (1 Viewer)

[dmac37]

I know how most feel about Benson but as of now the Bengals are planning on him as their full time RB. I'm very surprised that they have not acquired an RB through trade, free agency or draft to compete with him.

Could they acquire an RB from Denver or Baltimore?

In this era of RBBC he could be a major value play if they do not bring in another RB in Cincinnati. He also looked good down the stretch last year and the Bengal offense should be improved with Palmer back and o-line help.

Diamond in the rough?

Fools Gold because he is Cedric or they will bring in another RB to split the load?

 

[SteevieG]

I know how most feel about Benson but as of now the Bengals are planning on him as their full time RB. I'm very surprised that they have not acquired an RB through trade, free agency or draft to compete with him.

Could they acquire an RB from Denver or Baltimore?

In this era of RBBC he could be a major value play if they do not bring in another RB in Cincinnati. He also looked good down the stretch last year and the Bengal offense should be improved with Palmer back and o-line help.

Diamond in the rough?

Fools Gold because he is Cedric or they will bring in another RB to split the load?

I am hoping he doesn't revert back to being that Cedric. If he stays clean I think he can be that diamond. With Palmer back and no real competition to steal carries I see a big year for the guy.

 

[sparkky]

he seems poised to get the lions share of touches next year. I expect they will bring in some one for added depth before the season starts. he seemed to finally get his head on straight late last year.

I think he'll be a decent #2 rb and a good quality #3.

 

[inzanitee]

I like him, looked very good at the end of last season and he can be had for cheap.

 

[Banger]

I know I'll get flamed for this but I'd probably pass on a guy like Lynch and pick up Benson a couple rounds later and get similar production. If Carson Palmer is healed up and comes back, an improved line, little to no competition behind him, Chad/Coles/Henry to keep the chains moving, Benson will a lot more red zone opps than that pathetic offense had last year. Their defense improved a lot last year as well.

I wouldn't go crazy about him but I'd definitely let some of the other guys in front of him pass me by, load up on some good wr's and pick him up cheap a few rounds later.

 

[WampusCat43]

One thing to keep an eye on is their OL situation. Even if Andre Smith pans out, they lost two starters and seem determined to get rid of another, Levi Jones. At best, they're going to have virtually no depth, and this rookie center may be no better than Ghuicac (sp).

 

[Tenacious D]

Could they acquire an RB from Denver or Baltimore?

Don't need to acquire from Denver, they've got like a dozen, some will be free agents soon.Benson is mentally fragile and will crumble again eventually. That said, at a low enough pick, he's a huge value. Most people will avoid him after where a feature RB should go.

 

[FantasyTrader]

One thing to keep an eye on is their OL situation. Even if Andre Smith pans out, they lost two starters and seem determined to get rid of another, Levi Jones. At best, they're going to have virtually no depth, and this rookie center may be no better than Ghuicac (sp).

This is my biggest concern. In the only instrument I've seen anywhere that took a stab at objectively analyzing offensive line performance from last year (taking into account line yards and sack rate), Cincy O-line ended up as the 31st ranked last year. Benson (or pick a name) won't do squat this year if that O-line isn't markedly improved.

 

[QuizGuy66]

One thing to keep an eye on is their OL situation. Even if Andre Smith pans out, they lost two starters and seem determined to get rid of another, Levi Jones. At best, they're going to have virtually no depth, and this rookie center may be no better than Ghuicac (sp).

it's spelled Ghiasuck hth.As for Benson, I think he is a value play for sure. He's definitely the guy. The only thing limiting him is the fact that even with the choices they've gotten in the draft they are still likely to be offensively challenged. But can I see Ced popping in 8-9 TDs and getting like 1100-1200 yards. Sure.-QG

 

[Pots]

The fact that everyone on the board agrees that he's a value play, will make him NOT a value play when draft time comes. He had a decent 2nd half of the season with a ton of carries, so he'll be on everybody's 'sleeper' list and end up going 3rd/4th round in a lot of drafts.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Maybe they pick up Edge when/if he's released if they have the $$ and cap room?

 

[saintfool]

what's the state of their o-line? haven't they lost a few people in the offseason?

 

[King of the Wolfies]

being that cedric is only as good as the holes opened for him, I'd be selling him high to anyone willing to trade a pack of gum for him. The guy is heartless and talentless.

 

[lyon812]

I think Benson will be a decent value this year, but if Bernard Scott has an excellent training camp, he could feel pressure sooner rather than later. Don't underestimate him.

 

[Avery]

being that cedric is only as good as the holes opened for him, I'd be selling him high to anyone willing to trade a pack of gum for him. The guy is heartless and talentless.

Was he getting big holes last year with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB?

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

He will probably end up with an okay season stat line but I would rather take a different "risk" RB. Neither Benson's talent nor the line's is great. You will need to be very clever in picking Benson's spot starts. Would you consider playing him against Balt. and Pitt. at all? Hopefully not, unless necessitated by injuries. So there's 25% (at least) of your season that he won't be useful.

 

[foxco]

being that cedric is only as good as the holes opened for him, I'd be selling him high to anyone willing to trade a pack of gum for him. The guy is heartless and talentless.

You would be getting the raw end of that deal. Benson is worth slightly more than a pack of gum.

 

[bcr8f]

being that cedric is only as good as the holes opened for him, I'd be selling him high to anyone willing to trade a pack of gum for him. The guy is heartless and talentless.

You would be getting the raw end of that deal. Benson is worth slightly more than a pack of gum.

A pack of gum and a roll of lint?

 

[RBM]

Benson has a Rudy like year coming up

1300/10

 

[hooptd]

I just took Benson at 6.08 as RB3 in a 14 team dynasty. Hope it pays off.

 

[bcr8f]

He went for $30 as a RFA. That's insane.

Rudi Johnson?

 

[bcr8f]

I just took Benson at 6.08 as RB3 in a 14 team dynasty. Hope it pays off.

You were robbed. He is going in the late 8th round in ADP in a 12 team league. Make sure you grab Scott.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

Maybe his run-in with the police and subsequent release from the Bears was the best thing to happen for him.I'm still a little skeptical of him but he surely makes an excellant RB3 value in redrafts. He can still represent good value as well in dynasty leagues as he's only 27.

 

[fsufan]

Benson has a Rudy like year coming up1300/10

i do think Cinny/Lewis wants to be a power run team. just not sure about Benson.

 

[finito]

Maybe his run-in with the police and subsequent release from the Bears was the best thing to happen for him.I'm still a little skeptical of him but he surely makes an excellant RB3 value in redrafts. He can still represent good value as well in dynasty leagues as he's only 27.

He's actually 26, won't be 27 till after this season. I agree he looks like solid value and could easily put up #2 RB numbers.

 

[bcr8f]

Maybe his run-in with the police and subsequent release from the Bears was the best thing to happen for him.I'm still a little skeptical of him but he surely makes an excellant RB3 value in redrafts. He can still represent good value as well in dynasty leagues as he's only 27.

He's actually 26, won't be 27 till after this season. I agree he looks like solid value and could easily put up #2 RB numbers.

He could also not be playable. Anyone looking at hm as a #2 is out of his mind. In Chicago he spent more time dancing than gaining yards. He looked better last season but if they give him a raise look for him to return to form.

 

[finito]

Maybe his run-in with the police and subsequent release from the Bears was the best thing to happen for him.I'm still a little skeptical of him but he surely makes an excellant RB3 value in redrafts. He can still represent good value as well in dynasty leagues as he's only 27.

He's actually 26, won't be 27 till after this season. I agree he looks like solid value and could easily put up #2 RB numbers.

He could also not be playable. Anyone looking at hm as a #2 is out of his mind. In Chicago he spent more time dancing than gaining yards. He looked better last season but if they give him a raise look for him to return to form.

I think the point is he can be had for a #3/#4 price but could put up #2 numbers. I don't think many are drafting him as their #2.

 

[JPeso]

I'm in the camp who believes with a sure shot RB1, and 3-4 solid WRs, that Benson can be more than serviceable as RB2/3, so long as you have some flex options like Leon, Norwood, Felix, etc. The numbers don't show how he played. He looked like a different player, and I have been one who has never been a Benson fan at his ADP. That said, now that his ADP in dynasty is 8th-10th round, I'd be glad to scoop him up, using an earlier round choice on an upside WR or stud QB.

 

[FUBAR]

Maybe his run-in with the police and subsequent release from the Bears was the best thing to happen for him.I'm still a little skeptical of him but he surely makes an excellant RB3 value in redrafts. He can still represent good value as well in dynasty leagues as he's only 27.

He's actually 26, won't be 27 till after this season. I agree he looks like solid value and could easily put up #2 RB numbers.

He could also not be playable. Anyone looking at hm as a #2 is out of his mind. In Chicago he spent more time dancing than gaining yards. He looked better last season but if they give him a raise look for him to return to form.

he was a RB2 the second half of last season. How is expecting him to keep going "out of your mind"? He could certainly bust but I'll take the risk at his current value.

 

[AnonymousBob]

IIRC, he got virtually every carry for that team last season. Do we think Leonard or others won't take just a bit?

Also, it's hard to believe he's only a year younger than Clinton Portis. Wow...

 

[nightmare]

In the two rapiddraft's I just did. Benson went @ 4.1 and 5.7

These are RB heavy with a flex player starting spot.

In both of those drafts that was before W McGahee and J Lewis.

 

[foxco]

In the two rapiddraft's I just did. Benson went @ 4.1 and 5.7 These are RB heavy with a flex player starting spot. In both of those drafts that was before W McGahee and J Lewis.

Interesting, he went higher than I thought, though I would take him before both McGahee and Lewis. Who knows if McGahee will even start, and Lewis will be 30 and on a team that has a good chance at being horrible offensively.

 

[two_dollars]

Seeing him play in chicago, he's not a great blocker. Combine that with a weak OL and depleted recieving core, Palmer better put some extra pads in the back of his pants.

Cedric will get the most of the carries, but how many carries will there be when Cinci is going 3 and out every other drive, and passing to catch up?

Cinci is just a bad bad team right now.

 

[foxco]

Seeing him play in chicago, he's not a great blocker. Combine that with a weak OL and depleted recieving core, Palmer better put some extra pads in the back of his pants.Cedric will get the most of the carries, but how many carries will there be when Cinci is going 3 and out every other drive, and passing to catch up?Cinci is just a bad bad team right now.

I dunno, Cincy's D was pretty feisty 2nd half of the year, and this is without Palmer. They also went 4-3-1 to end the season. Again, without Palmer.Also, how is their recieving core depleted? They lost Housh but signed Coles, who is no slouch. Chad will be back to full strength, Chris Henry, by all reports, has been dedicating himself to football finally, and Caldwell and Simpson will be the 4th & 5th options. They also drafted a solid TE in Chase Coffman, so how are they depleted? This could easily end up being the best recieving core they've had IMO.They drafted the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Andre Smith, so their O-line could show immediate improvement. I'm not convinced they're that bad at all. I think they'll be competitive.

 

[bcr8f]

Seeing him play in chicago, he's not a great blocker. Combine that with a weak OL and depleted recieving core, Palmer better put some extra pads in the back of his pants.Cedric will get the most of the carries, but how many carries will there be when Cinci is going 3 and out every other drive, and passing to catch up?Cinci is just a bad bad team right now.

I dunno, Cincy's D was pretty feisty 2nd half of the year, and this is without Palmer. They also went 4-3-1 to end the season. Again, without Palmer.Also, how is their recieving core depleted? They lost Housh but signed Coles, who is no slouch. Chad will be back to full strength, Chris Henry, by all reports, has been dedicating himself to football finally, and Caldwell and Simpson will be the 4th & 5th options. They also drafted a solid TE in Chase Coffman, so how are they depleted? This could easily end up being the best recieving core they've had IMO.They drafted the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Andre Smith, so their O-line could show immediate improvement. I'm not convinced they're that bad at all. I think they'll be competitive.

Palmer plays defense? :X You are assuming an awful lot goes well. When was Smith the top prospect? Where is Coles an upgrade over Housh?When have they even used a receiving TE?You are assuming everything is rosy which it rarely is in Cincy.

 

[BuckeyeArt]

I just took Benson at 6.08 as RB3 in a 14 team dynasty. Hope it pays off.

You were robbed. He is going in the late 8th round in ADP in a 12 team league. Make sure you grab Scott.

 

[rzrback77]

I drafted him as RB4 in a twelve teamer dynasty earlier this month at 10.5 with the 113th pick. We can start up to four RBs so I like Benson's chances to spot start for my squad.

I don't see how he can be considered anything besides a value pick that late.

 

[nightmare]

Can we get some updated (late 2008) info on C Benson?

Talking about when he was in college or with the Bears doesn't seem

like what is happening NOW.

I own Ocho Cinco in a dynasty league and would give him away.

PPG #s are way up and down but his end of year stats always look decent.

L Coles is going to get drafted as a #3, Palmer as a #2 or 3

and Benson as a #3. They could all move up a spot in your starting lineup.

This is an offense that a lot of people are going to over look when drafting.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Can we get some updated (late 2008) info on C Benson? Talking about when he was in college or with the Bears doesn't seem like what is happening NOW. I own Ocho Cinco in a dynasty league and would give him away. PPG #s are way up and down but his end of year stats always look decent. L Coles is going to get drafted as a #3, Palmer as a #2 or 3 and Benson as a #3. They could all move up a spot in your starting lineup. This is an offense that a lot of people are going to over look when drafting.

It'll be fun to watch, I largely agree with this analysis.Palmer will be drafted probably in the mid-teens and should do better than that.Coles will put up numbers in the Housh neighborhood but won't be drafted at the spot that Housh has crept up to in recent years.Benson is gonna be that folks grab at the end of round 5 or the top of round 6 and be ecstatic with (not that he'll have RB 1 production, though I don't think that's impossible, but he'll be solid IMO - a guy that will be the 3rd RB his team drafts but who will but up numbers that'll put him the starting lineup most weeks"). He did well in his time between a line that was #32 and frankly I think that everything is orientating toward an increased commitment to the run by my Who Deys and Benson being the undisputed #1 RB on the team. I think part of the reasoning behind bringing along Andre Smith at RT is to get the best run blocking combo out there. Ocho's situation will require a lot of monitoring. I'm very down on his prospects at the outset. I think his antics have gone a long way to destroying his relationship with Palmer and the raft of young and/or hungry receivers they now have put Ocho's primacy in even more peril. Preseason will give a few tea leaves out to read (especially game 3 of course) as to where things truly stand with him. My gut tells me that his stat-line is going to read a lot like last year, if not moreso. I'll stick my neck out and even project that he could actually fall out of the rotation. This brings me to the perfect late-round flyer - the notorious Chris Henry. Track record alone makes me inclined to not spend more than a next-to-last round pick on him, but Carson's praise of him has been strong and seems sincere. With his act together, the guy could totally become the surprise replacement for Chad and have the numbers to go along with it. The upside relative to draft position should be strong.-QG

 

[foxco]

Seeing him play in chicago, he's not a great blocker. Combine that with a weak OL and depleted recieving core, Palmer better put some extra pads in the back of his pants.Cedric will get the most of the carries, but how many carries will there be when Cinci is going 3 and out every other drive, and passing to catch up?Cinci is just a bad bad team right now.

I dunno, Cincy's D was pretty feisty 2nd half of the year, and this is without Palmer. They also went 4-3-1 to end the season. Again, without Palmer.Also, how is their recieving core depleted? They lost Housh but signed Coles, who is no slouch. Chad will be back to full strength, Chris Henry, by all reports, has been dedicating himself to football finally, and Caldwell and Simpson will be the 4th & 5th options. They also drafted a solid TE in Chase Coffman, so how are they depleted? This could easily end up being the best recieving core they've had IMO.They drafted the best offensive line prospect in the draft in Andre Smith, so their O-line could show immediate improvement. I'm not convinced they're that bad at all. I think they'll be competitive.

Palmer plays defense? You are assuming an awful lot goes well. When was Smith the top prospect? Where is Coles an upgrade over Housh?When have they even used a receiving TE?You are assuming everything is rosy which it rarely is in Cincy.

Not sure what you're getting at here. With Palmer back, the offense should improve, keeping the defense fresher because they're not on the field as much.Smith was always a top o-line prospect in talent. Coles isn't an upgrade over Housh, but he's comparable at the very least. And they haven't had a recieving TE, now that do. I'm not assuming everying is going to be "rosy" in Cincy, the post I was responding to said the recievers were depleted, which I don't think they are at all; they're better on paper than last year. The 0-line should be improved as well, and the defense played pretty well down the stretch last year. All I am saying is things are looking better than last year right now.

 

[puckalicious]

IIRC, he got virtually every carry for that team last season. Do we think Leonard or others won't take just a bit?Also, it's hard to believe he's only a year younger than Clinton Portis. Wow...

I had to do a double take on this. Portis is 1 year older, but has 3 more years of wear and tear at the NFL level. Still can't believe it.I will be watching Benson's ADP to decide if he's worth targeting come draft time this August. I have a feeling his performance this year will be his career best which might not be saying much. As said, RB#2 output at best.

 

[corpcow]

I've personally got my eye on Scott, particularly in dynasty... I honestly think he can push Benson this year heavily. Scott is also an older back, so hopefully maturity (physically and otherwise) isn't an issue now with the character issues he had.

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/dg...rd_scott_video/

I guess the real question is whether the competition is good for Cedric or whether he will fold and revert to his CHI ways.

 

[bcr8f]

I've personally got my eye on Scott, particularly in dynasty... I honestly think he can push Benson this year heavily. Scott is also an older back, so hopefully maturity (physically and otherwise) isn't an issue now with the character issues he had.

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/dg...rd_scott_video/

I guess the real question is whether the competition is good for Cedric or whether he will fold and revert to his CHI ways.

5 schools in 4 years wasn't it? He surely has the talent. I grabbed him in one league.

 

[corpcow]

I've personally got my eye on Scott, particularly in dynasty... I honestly think he can push Benson this year heavily. Scott is also an older back, so hopefully maturity (physically and otherwise) isn't an issue now with the character issues he had.

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/dg...rd_scott_video/

I guess the real question is whether the competition is good for Cedric or whether he will fold and revert to his CHI ways.

5 schools in 4 years wasn't it? He surely has the talent. I grabbed him in one league.

Yep, 5 different schools, but by all accounts he's put that behind him. My point with the age is that certainly helps - we all made our mistakes when we were 18-20 but by the time we get to 24-25 MOST of us have a little more perspective. In my mind, having shown that he already seemingly addressed them combined with the maturity that age brings helps a lot.

 

[loose circuits]

good article on the OL: http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/tran...85-1dfad7268035

worth a read for anyone considering one of there backs...

 

[The Man with the Plan]

No he still sucks. Cedric Benson padded his stats against some crappy defenses and the best he could still wind up with is a 3.5 ypc. At least he had his career long run last season. 46 yards. Great.

 

[Mr.Blonde]

Would you consider playing him against Balt. and Pitt. at all? Hopefully not, unless necessitated by injuries. So there's 25% (at least) of your season that he won't be useful.

That I think is a key point. If Ced is your RB3 and you can bench him vs. top talent, then he might be useful. 4 out of 16 weeks you don't want him in your lineup.

 

[bcr8f]

I've personally got my eye on Scott, particularly in dynasty... I honestly think he can push Benson this year heavily. Scott is also an older back, so hopefully maturity (physically and otherwise) isn't an issue now with the character issues he had.

http://draftguys.com/index.php/articles/dg...rd_scott_video/

I guess the real question is whether the competition is good for Cedric or whether he will fold and revert to his CHI ways.

5 schools in 4 years wasn't it? He surely has the talent. I grabbed him in one league.

Yep, 5 different schools, but by all accounts he's put that behind him. My point with the age is that certainly helps - we all made our mistakes when we were 18-20 but by the time we get to 24-25 MOST of us have a little more perspective. In my mind, having shown that he already seemingly addressed them combined with the maturity that age brings helps a lot.

He's probably a 3rd round talent available late in some drafts.

I wonder if going to the Bengals will hurt. They do still have Henry but I believe most of the other troublemakers are gone.

 

[bcr8f]

Would you consider playing him against Balt. and Pitt. at all? Hopefully not, unless necessitated by injuries. So there's 25% (at least) of your season that he won't be useful.

That I think is a key point. If Ced is your RB3 and you can bench him vs. top talent, then he might be useful. 4 out of 16 weeks you don't want him in your lineup.

In Chicago he often avoided contact and ran sideways or danced in the backfield. As a RB3 he's probably OK, I have a problem with him as a #2.

 

[convickt]

benson has averaged 3.4 ypg combined the last 2 seasons. he has only gaines 2340 yards and scored 12 td's in 4 years. his "breakout" finish last year came in weeks 16 & 17 with 282 yards against the browns, and chiefs. who couldn't gain 170 yards against the browns with dorsey throwing 5 int's a game, at that point.

if he does start moving up the draft board, let him.