3 players who will have the biggest impact on the Bengals' season
Each week, theScore will go division by division, highlighting which three players' performance will most impact their team's season in 2017.
Andy Dalton
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the quarterback (AKA the guy with the ball in his hands every play) will have a big impact on the season, but Dalton is set up for his most important campaign to date.
He will be connected to head coach Marvin Lewis in the front office's evaluation of how to move forward within the organization. Dalton's contract would be very easy to get rid of after the 2017 season (as would Lewis'), and it's up to him to show he can be a real franchise quarterback.
Related: Bengals' weapon-heavy draft sets up Dalton for do-or-die season
The Bengals elected to invest in weapons over offensive linemen this offseason after losing two starting blockers to free agency. With a full set of talented targets and a weakened O-line, the pressure will be on Dalton to prove he can be the leader and make necessary adjustments to likely not having as much time in the pocket.
Joe Mixon
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Whether he plays or not - and he probably will - Mixon's past is sure to make him a lightning rod for attention off the field as well as on it.
Mixon is expected to eventually take over the lead running back role from Jeremy Hill. Once he starts getting carries on a regular basis, he'll likely hear the boo-birds come out whenever the Bengals are on the road. You can probably bet on an opposing player or two commenting on Mixon and the time he punched a female student in the face in 2014.
It's something that will follow Mixon around his entire pro career, and the Bengals will need to figure out how to handle the noise quickly before it derails the focus of the locker room, though they have plenty of experience handling off-field issues.
Adam Jones
Jones added to his long history of legal troubles this past offseason when he was arrested for assault, disorderly conduct, obstructing official business, and harassment with a bodily substance.
Multiple videos were released of Jones' arrest that reflected exceptionally poorly on his character, as well as a 911 call where he appeared to harass a call operator over a fender bender.
Team owner Mike Brown admitted that perhaps he's been too tolerant of Jones' behavior, which will surely equate to added criticism of the team if any more issues arise. A lot of eyes will be on Jones in Cincinnati, waiting for him to slip up.
The veteran cornerback will also be depended heavily on the field. The biggest reason he's still a Bengal is because of his on-field play as the team's top cornerback. As Jones turns 34 soon after the beginning of the season, his ability to continue leading the Bengals' secondary will be called into question.