Ranking the 5 most important players on Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 roster feat. Mike Gesicki and Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals had a mixed 2023 season. Last place in a division usually means being a bad team, but they were far from bad. They were very competitive, finishing 9-8, meaning the entire AFC North had a winning record.

However, the Bengals are not standing pat. They have made some major moves, notably ditching Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon in free agency and via trade, respectively. Meanwhile, they have also brought in some pieces they hope would improve certain areas:

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5) Trent Brown

Philadelphia Eagles v New England Patriots

Trent Brown has been one of the more underrated players in recent NFL history. He has excelled at both tackle spots, thanks to his unusual size (six-foot-eight, 370 lbs), winning a Super Bowl and making a Pro Bowl - which a seventh-round pick rarely gets to do.

In Cincinnati, he would form a powerhouse tandem with another very large Brown, Orlando Jr. With such a pair of behemoths, Joe Burrow should be able to feed the likes of JaMarr Chase more effectively.

4) Drew Sample

Indianapolis Colts v Cincinnati Bengals

Drew Sample has always been a silent operator for the Bengals, being the team's blocking tight end while flashier talents like CJ Uzomah and Hayden Hurst caught passes.

However, with Tyler Boyd gone, the team is expected to move towards a double-tight end sets, which should mean an even more significant role - even if Mike Gesicki will get more targets than him.

3) Geno Stone

Detroit Lions v Baltimore Ravens

The defensive backfield is not one of the Bengals' strongest areas, but one of its biggest free-agent acquisitions this offseason provides a much-needed upgrade.

Early on in his career, Geno Stone was once dismissed as a mere practice player. But when the Baltimore Ravens brought him back as a sophomore, he rapidly progressed to become their starting free safety by 2023.

Poaching him represents a massive coup for Duke Tobin, especially with Vonn Bell returning.

2) Mike Gesicki

New England Patriots v Denver Broncos

After seeing his numbers drop under current Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel in 2022, Mike Gesicki left for Foxborough, looking to rebound. Instead, he fell further, and the new regime decided not to keep him.

However, with Zac Taylor in need of a pass-catching tight end to complement Drew Sample, Gesicki proved just what he needed. And with Tyler Boyd gone, he's expected to become the new slot man.

1) Joe Burrow

Cincinnati Bengals v Kansas City Chiefs

And now, for the man at the center of it all: Joe Burrow.

It's safe to say that his wrist injury was a major blow to the Bengals. While Jake Browning did a commendable job filling in, it was clear that the team badly needed its face on the field.

However, now that Burrow is back, he also faces a revamped offensive core. No more Joe Mixon to hand off to. No more Tyler Boyd to feed at the slot. Can he adjust? Only time will tell.