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NFL • 10 months ago

5 Cincinnati Bengals Facing Make-or-Break Seasons

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Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

5 Cincinnati Bengals Facing Make-or-Break Seasons

Marvin Lewis — The Cincinnati Bengals have reached the playoffs each of the last four seasons. The Bengals have made additions to their roster in the offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft. The team still has plenty of good talent on the roster from recent years.

In order for the Bengals to make a push for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance they will need some veterans to step up. Here are five Bengals facing make-or-break seasons.

The Cincinnati Bengals have reached the playoffs each of the last four seasons. The Bengals have made additions to their roster in the offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft. The team still has plenty of good talent on the roster from recent years.

In order for the Bengals to make a push for a fifth consecutive playoff appearance they will need some veterans to step up. Here are five Bengals facing make-or-break seasons.

5. Brandon Tate

5. Brandon Tate

The receiver recorded one touchdown a year ago and finished fifth in total receptions with 17. Along with Tate, Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones will all become free agents in 2016 as each are in their final year of their contracts.

The Bengals have added depth by signing former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore. Tate has been an effective kick returner for the Bengals but will need a positive season to remain with the team.

4. Andre Smith

4. Andre Smith

The Bengals No. 6 pick of the 2009 Draft missed the final five games of the 2014 season with a torn tricep. Smith is expected to remain sidelined until training camp as he recovers from injury. The Bengals spent their top two picks in this year’s Draft on offensive tackles to prepare for the future of the position. Now in the final year of his contract, Smith will need to prove why he deserves one last big deal.

3. Cedric Peerman

3. Cedric Peerman

The seventh year running back is primarily used as a core special team player for the Bengals. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard have secure positions in Cincinnati’s backfield and with Rex Burkhead’s ability to become a versatile threat in the passing game, Peerman’s spot on the 53-man roster is not assured come the start of the season. 2015 will be a make-or-break season for Peerman if he proves to be highly productive on special teams.

2. Devon Still

2. Devon Still

After entering free agency, the Bengals signed the defensive tackle to an undisclosed contract in March. Still recorded a career-high 19 tackles in 11 games a season ago, but the former second round pick hasn’t lived up to expectations. The Bengals added depth by signing former Oakland Raider DT Pat Sims. Still is a respected backup at the position, but he will need to prove this season that he deserves to remain on the Bengals' defensive front.

1. Andy Dalton

1. Andy Dalton

Dalton has led the Bengals to the playoffs each year he has been in the league. Coach Marvin Lewis has made it clear that the quarterback will be the starter for the 2015 season, but due to inconsistencies in the playoffs his position may be in jeopardy.

If Dalton is not able to lead the Bengals to a playoff victory in 2015, backup A.J. McCarron might be competing for the starting job the following year.

Dan Miller is a NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google

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