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NFL Power Rankings: 2017 Pre-NFL Draft Look at All 32 Teams

By Peter Panacy

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet, NFL shield, stage, and podium before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

. 6-9-1. . Cincinnati Bengals. 25. team. 56

One might think the Cincinnati Bengals would have enough offensive firepower to ensure 2016 was more of an anomaly than an indication of what to expect this upcoming season.

Sure, quarterback Andy Dalton is good enough for regular-season play. But the problem here entering 2017 is up front along the offensive line.

Cincinnati let O-linemen Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth walk this offseason. And we’ve already pointed out how thin the NFL Draft is along the offensive line.

It’s not likely the Bengals will find worthwhile replacements to protect Dalton and open up the running game once more. And everything starts to fall apart, offensively, from this unit forward.

Unless Cincinnati can somehow make significant defensive upgrades to make up for offensive shortcomings, it’s likely the Bengals’ 2016 woes will carry into this season.