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2022 NFL Power Rankings: Who improved most after NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi

Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton after being selected as the fourteenth overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton after being selected as the fourteenth overall pick to the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL Power Rankings
2022 NFL Power Rankings: Ja’Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a catch for a touchdown while being guarded by Charvarius Ward #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

56. . . Previous: 2nd. Cincinnati Bengals. 2. team

2. Cincinnati Bengals top AFC teams in 2022 NFL Power Rankings

In 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals took Joe Burrow first overall in the draft and while they struggled during his rookie season, he already looked the part. Then in 2021, the Bengals added Ja’Marr Chase, giving him his favorite target from his LSU days to work with.

Cincy took some heat for passing on Penei Sewell since their offensive line was so bad, and Burrow was coming off a torn ACL. The criticism was even worse while Chase was struggling in the preseason.

But then the real games began and Chase went off. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as he and Burrow continued to be on the same page. They also both got hotter as the season went on and rode their impressive streak all the way to the Super Bowl. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams but nearly pulled it off as Chase had beaten Jalen Ramsey but Burrow couldn’t get the final pass off in time.

In an effort to fix their line, the Bengals signed Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, and La’eL Collins — completely revamping Burrow’s bodyguards. Then in the draft, they picked up a potentially elite safety in Daxton Hill from Michigan and also added Zachary Carter in the third round to bolster their defensive line.

Those additions should keep them on top of their division once again — and prevent them from being a one-year wonder.

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