Just two years ago, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton had forced his way into the MVP conversation. It was December of 2015 and Dalton had guided the Bengals to a 10-2 record. He’d completed over 66 percent of his throws at a hyper-efficient 8.4 yards per attempt. He was on pace to finish his season with 4255 passing yards, 37 combined TDs and just eight interceptions. It was, without question, a new and better Dalton.

But then, in keeping with tradition, the Steelers ruined everything. Dalton threw a red-zone screen pass that was intercepted by a lineman, and he fractured his right thumb pursuing the tackle. Season over. With A.J. McCarron at the controls, Cincinnati went on to lose that game, then another at Denver, and then again to the Steelers in the Wild Card round (in a classic/bizarre/sloppy game).

Dalton wasn’t as efficient in 2016 as he’d been the year prior, yet he still managed to pass for 4206 yards while throwing only eight picks in 16 games. He’s been intercepted just 15 times in his last 29 games, so it’s reasonable to conclude that he’s no longer the giveaway-prone QB we saw in his early years. He also completed a respectable 40.3 percent of his deep throws last season according to Player Profiler. Dalton may not be an upper-tier NFL passer, but he’s plenty capable. His single-season high in TD passes is 33 and he typically rushes for another 2-4 scores. Bottom line, you can win a fantasy title with Dalton as your quarterback.

The Bengals enter the season with significant questions on the offensive line, after losing both Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth in free agency. But if this team can successfully block for Dalton, he’s going to deliver a top-10 positional finish. Cincinnati spent its first and second-round draft picks on receiver John Ross and running back Joe Mixon, dynamic skill players who each add new elements to this team’s offense. Dalton will also have A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert at his disposal, and both players will be fully operational in opening week.

Despite a friendly setup, Dalton has been drafted as the No. 16 QB off the board in Yahoo leagues, nowhere near the first 10 rounds (ADP 118.5). He’s a steal at his current price, a player who should return an easy profit.

A.J. Green leads an enhanced receiving corps.

We shouldn’t need to tell you that Green is ridiculously good. He’s much closer in value to the top-three at his position — AB, Julio and OBJ — than he is to the next tier. Before a hamstring injury ended Green’s season last November, he was averaging 7.3 receptions and 107.1 yards per game. Green has earned Pro Bowl recognition in each of his six seasons. For his career, he’s averaged 83.0 yards and 0.6 TDs per week. He’s as good as it gets and entering his age-29 season. To me, he’s a no doubt first-round fantasy selection, a clear top-four receiver. I’m drafting him just after Odell Beckham and ahead of Mike Evans. Last year, he averaged 11 targets per game before the injury. You want him. Draft and enjoy.

View photos Fantasy owners, you want this guy. A.J. Green is as good as it gets. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) More

Ross adds a unique vertical threat opposite Green, but we should note that the rookie missed much of the team’s offseason program while recovering from shoulder surgery. Right now, the expectation is that Ross will be available in the opener, but he’ll have only a supporting role early in the season. He figures to be more valuable in October and November than in September.

Ross of course has rare speed, even by NFL standards; he ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash, breaking Chris Johnson’s combine record. He was far more than simply a one-trick deep threat at Washington, but his home-run ability is certainly his most appealing trick. Ross produced 1150 receiving yards and 17 spikes on 81 receptions last year, though he was all but erased by Alabama’s DBs in the playoff semifinal. We can expect him to have value as a first-year receiver, but I can’t project him as the top rookie wideout for redraft purposes.