3 Bengals Players Who Deserve Bigger Roles After the Bye Week

The Cincinnati Bengals have entered their first bye week, and the first five games have been very interesting. Some things need work, and other parts of the team are running on all cylinders. 

Here are three things I want to see more of after the bye week. From the running game, to players deserving more targets and keeping your stars fresh on the defensive line. 

More Samaje Perine

Look, the running game is an afterthought. I think we’ve all made our peace with that. They'll try to win games through the air with their elite wide receiver corps. 

Samaje Perine should be the go-to back going forward, or at the very least it should continue to be a 50-50 split like it was against Miami. You aren’t getting much from Chase Brown despite some high expectations before the season. 

Best case scenario, Perine turns into a reliable between the tackles running back who can provide some increased production on the ground. Brown has shown no signs of reverting course and turning into a quality running back who could exceed 1,400 or 1,500 yards. 

Keep targeting tight ends

Mike Gesicki has been a massive target in the red zone and the red area. He has 12 catches on 17 targets and four touchdowns this season with 159 yards. Gesicki had two touchdowns in three straight seasons before this year and is on track to blow that number out of the water. 

Nothing should change that. Use Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as decoys on certain plays, and keep finding those easy throws to Gesicki, Erick All, and now Jack Endries, who will take over for Tanner Hudson after tearing his pec, a season-ending injury.

This is a great way to make up for the lost production in the running game adding another layer to the offense.

More Cashius Howell

If there’s one area on the field Cincinnati doesn’t need to change, it’s the defensive line. Boye Mafe and Dexter Lawrence have been great, and that’s precisely why I want to see more Cashius Howell. He has 132 snaps through five games, averaging just over 26 snaps a game. 

Keeping Boye Mafe healthy should be of really high priority. You have great depth on the defensive line, especially when you throw in Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy. Use it, and also allow Howell to continue growing his experience and confidence.