Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals are ranked 15th in ESPN's future NFL roster rankings for 2026. The team's wide receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins was identified as the biggest strength.
What is the Bengals' biggest strength?
The Bengals' wide receiver room, led by Pro Bowl duo Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, is considered the team's biggest strength.
The team's off-ball linebackers were cited as the biggest weakness, with three players ranking near the bottom of the league. Barrrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Oren Burks were ranked 83rd, 85th, and 88th respectively out of 88 linebackers.
Why is the left side of the offensive line important?
The left side of the offensive line, consisting of Orlando Brown Jr. and Dylan Fairchild, is considered the X-factor for the team, given the importance of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Bengals are looking to improve from their 6-11 record from 2025, when Burrow was injured for a significant portion of the season. The team's third-year tight end Erick All Jr. was ESPN's nonstarter to know because of his potential to be fully healthy in 2026.
How do the Bengals rank compared to their division rivals?
The Pittsburgh Steelers were ranked a few spots below the Bengals at No. 19, while the Cleveland Browns were ranked No. 31. The Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals' division rivals, are fifth under new head coach Jesse Minter.
The Los Angeles Rams top the rankings, bolstered by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and the addition of Myles Garrett on defense. The Bengals will look to improve their ranking with the help of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the upcoming season.
The Bengals' ranking is a result of ESPN's evaluation of all 32 NFL rosters, which considered each team's biggest strength, biggest weakness, X-factor for 2026, and nonstarter to know. The rankings were released on July 6, 2026.
Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals will look to make a strong comeback in the 2026 season, with their ranking serving as a motivation to improve and compete with the top teams in the league.