Ranking the Bengals' roster, spots 1-20

With the 2014 season now officially in the books, all NFL eyes point toward this offseason of making the moves necessary to stand in the spot the Patriots did on Sunday. For the Bengals, that means assessing their current talent while evaluating which holes need filled.

Here we take on the challenging task of ranking the Bengals' roster, using the 53 players on it at the end of the season along with the nine on injured reserve in order to create a 1-62 list of value for the 2015 season. It doesn't matter if players are currently free agents and doesn't include those signed since the season ended.

These rankings are not science. They offer a jumping off point for debate. Even inside the Bengals' front office, if all were asked to execute this exercise, no two lists would look the same. This one is mine.

The formula for ranking comes by a three-part consideration to reach their overall value to the team next year. The first is pure talent shown, second is importance of their role and, lastly, trust in them to get the job done. Remember, this isn't about spot on the roster deep into the future. This purely ranks in relation to the 2015 season.

The rankings were released in two parts with 21-62 released Tuesday and the top 20 today.

Enjoy the debate.

1. WR A.J. Green has played four years with four Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in yards per route run last season and enters his prime seasons. He's the weapon few defenses can match, but needs to be larger part of the solution in big games.

2. RB Jeremy Hill ranked as the third NFL rookie in history with four 140-plus-yard rushing games and did it in essentially half a season as featured back. What his numbers could look like in a full season start as the centerpiece of the 2015 offense.

3. LT Andrew Whitworth at some point will have age catch up with the 33-year-old, but no sign of that yet. He led all tackles in pass blocking efficiency and was then only tackle to not allow a sack all year. He's on top of his game and the undeniable leader of the locker room.



4. CB/KR/PR Adam Jones will turn 32 next season, but has played like he's 25. Maturity, skill and tenacity turned him into one of the most potent weapons in football returning kicks and possibly the starting No. 1 corner next season.

5. OL Kevin Zeitler quietly played at a Pro Bowl level. When healthy, he ranks as one of the top young guards in the game. Only blemish is fact he missed four games in each of the last two seasons.

6. WR Marvin Jones missed last year, but all indications are Jones returns to full health and for the 2015 outlook, will be hard to forget the remarkable player he turned into racking up 10 touchdowns in 2013.

7. LB Vontaze Burfict could be considered the top player on this list if not for the trust factor. Will he recover fully from microfracture surgery? Will he again play at an All-Pro level? The Bengals will wait and see. You can't overvalue his importance, though.

8. RB Giovani Bernard, once settling into a complementary role the final three weeks, returned to explosive, multi-dimensional player the Bengals team envisioned. He compiled 4.7 yards per carry and 125 yards on 15 receptions the final three games of the regular season.

9. OL Clint Boling showed versatility on the line to complement a quality skill set. His athleticism, particularly in pulling run plays, became a centerpiece of the potent running game.

10. LT Andre Smith endured a rough patch in midseason, but despite that remains one of the better tackles in football capable of living one-on-one on the edge. Despite injury this year, had been reliable playing every game the previous two seasons.

11. S George Iloka developed into one of the best young cover safeties in the game and pulled in three interceptions on the season. PFF calculated and 18.4 passer rating against, leading the league at his position. Second place was 47.3.

12. QB Andy Dalton lives under constant criticism and can offer up ugly outings along with gems. At 68 starts in you know who Dalton is. He may be limited but 40 wins and four playoff trips in four seasons shouldn't be discarded.

13. DE Carlos Dunlap was the only consistent sack producer on the team last year with nine sacks when nobody else had more than three. He's still in his prime, maturing off the field and as freaky athletically as anyone on defense.

14. CB Dre Kirkpatrick took and exponential jump in 2014. His knack for the ball with six picks in limited action last two years are the highlight of his resume'. Contender to start at cornerback next season.

15. S Reggie Nelson will turn 32 next year, but continues to be the epitome of solid on the back end. Led team in picks but like many will be free agent after next year.

16. DT Geno Atkins was criticized by DC Paul Guenther for being "just a guy," after first season coming back from ACL. Bengals need him to return to dominating level played at prior to injury. Can he do it? Among the biggest questions lingering over 2015.

17. LB Rey Maualuga saw his early return from injury change the path of the 2014 defense. His value can be limited because he rarely plays on passing downs, but instincts, power in run defense are of high importance to this group. He's currently a free agent.

18. P Kevin Huber established as one of the top punters in the league coming off his first Pro Bowl. He's a weapon on special teams.

19. LB Vinny Rey played more snaps (952) than every other linebacker despite beginning the season as a backup. He filled in at every position and enjoyed an excellent stretch of playmaking the final month of the season in particular.

20. C Russell Bodine struggled at times his rookie year, particularly in pass protection, but can't argue with success of line as a whole with him taking every snap in the middle his first year. The Bengals are banking on his upside and development entering his second year.

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21. CB Terence Newman will turn 37 next season. We don't know if he will retire or return but for the majority of the season he was maybe the most consistent defensive player, although he endured a rough final month with struggles and sickness.

22. CB Leon Hall is one of the biggest question marks of the 2015 season. Can he return to the elite corner status prior to his second Achilles injury? Nobody will work harder or smarter, and the team hopes that's enough. He's entering the final year of his contract.

23. WR Mohamed Sanu proved in the absence of A.J. Green that he could be a playmaker and help carry the passing game. His production plummeted late in the season, though, and led the NFL in drops (14) and drop rate, via PFF.

24. H-B Ryan Hewitt should perhaps be higher on this list, but his position limits his total impact. He was the most pleasant surprise of 2014 and a key cog in the running success in front of Jeremy Hill.

25. TE Tyler Eifert's talent alone dictates that he land in top 10 for this team, but is he durable enough to survive a full season? Will he be back to full health in 2015? We can't be sure.

26. CB Darqueze Dennard had only 61 defensive snaps in the regular season, but he impressed coaches in practice and played well in the playoff game -- including a critical forced fumble.

27. DL Wallace Gilberry is one of the great people in the locker room, but despite an increased role he saw production in pass rush drop. Didn't record a sack after season opener against Baltimore. Need help to keep him fresh.

28. DT Brandon Thompson is often disruptive and is a key piece of the rush defense rotation. He deserves an increased role next year.

29. LB Emmanuel Lamur's first year as full-time starter came with mixed results. He has great athleticism but often looked confused on the field. The team hopes another year increases the former and decreases the latter.

30. DT Domata Peko is agreat person and a great leader. At 30 years old, he lacks the effectiveness of his younger days. In conversation he's a possible cap casualty, but coaches swear by him.

31. TE Jermaine Gresham is all talent, no trust. His inability to play through injury and continued mistakes with fumbles and penalties make for a good possibility that he and the team part ways.

32. OL Mike Pollak is a reserve interior lineman offering quality snaps when injury occurs. He's a valuable piece at a position usually dealing with injury.

33. K Mike Nugent's resiliency was incredible this year on many levels. Still, he needs to avoid problems that caused an 11 of 17 start.

34. DL Margus Hunt. The Estonian project didn't take steps coaches hoped he would this season. As such, he's approaching a critical juncture.

35. WR James Wright flashed signs late in the season of becoming more than a special teams ace before injury.

36. RB Cedric Peerman led the Bengals in special teams tackles and is a leader as a team strength.

37. RB Rex Burkhead's potential was unlocked byHue Jackson in first half of the playoff game.

38. LB Marquis Flowers improved as the season progressed. The fifth-round pick will compete for a reserve backer spot again.

39. QB Jason Campbell is not forced into action but a solid backup. He's currently a free agent.

40. DE Will Clarke. Coaches were optimistic about his progress, and he earned snaps as the season progressed. He'll need another big step next year.

41. OL Eric Winston is a quality veteran fill-in that meshed well late in the season at RT. Both sides are interested in a possible return.

42. WR Brandon Tate hasn't consistently worked open enough in the passing game to evolve into more than a special teams contributor.

43. S Shawn Williams became the first safety off the bench, and also made contributions on special teams.

44. S Taylor Mays found a small niche in a reserve hybrid linebacker role and on special teams.

45. LS Clark Harris's regular-season streak now at 847 straight playable snaps with the Bengals.

46. QB AJ McCarron. We don't know much more today than we did last May about the fifth-round pick. He can compete for the backup job in the preseason after missing most of last year with a shoulder injury.

47. OL Trey Hopkins played relatively well in the preseason before his year was cut short with a season-ending leg injury in the third exhibition.

48. LB Sean Porter had one professional play and he tore his ACL. Unbelievably bad luck for the former Texas A&M linebacker, but everyone has to wonder if he can stay healthy as a professional.

49. TE Alex Smith is a veteran tight end, now a free agent coming off a biceps injury that ended season in Week 2. He's not expected to make much of an impact if he returns.

50. TE Kevin Brock made a few nice plays as a blocking tight end when he was forced into action late in the season.

51. WR Greg Little. The Bengals need to address depth at the receiver position, which likely means the end of Little's time with the Bengals.

52. DT Devon Still. His story and perseverance deservedly captured the hearts of the country, but he has struggled mightily at times.

53. DL Robert Geathers is the most likely cap casualty. If let go, it would be a $3.05 million savings and no dead money.

54. LB Jayson DiManche made contributions on special teams, but hasn't shown enough development at linebacker to push him off the bubble come training camp.

55. WR Dane Sanzenbacher. The Bengals hoped he could offer playmaking in the slot in place of Andrew Hawkins, but he only managed nine receptions.

56. LB Nico Johnson was picked up off the Kansas City practice squad in a pinch. He'll have to battle to make the team next year.

57. LB Chris Carter was another midseason pickup. He'll be in a battle to make the team next year if he's back.

58. OL Marshall Newhouse didn't play well at all in his time attempting to replace Andre Smith. It's hard to imagine he returns.

59. OL T.J. Johnson only played in four games this year as a backup interior lineman.

60. OL Tanner Hawkinson hasn't progressed as the team would like, which forced the acquisition of Eric Winston late in the season.

61. CB Chris Lewis-Harris played in four games this season as the final man in the cornerback room, and was mostly inactive.

62. WR Cobi Hamilton made his first professional appearance in the playoff game, taking 28 snaps at the position crushed by injury.