2009 Draft Prep: Bengal bounce back in '09?

The Bengals are all about redemption this year. Almost everyone on offense is trying to prove something in 2009.

Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Cedric Benson, Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry all have reason for you to doubt them this season based on what happened last year or the previous few seasons. But don't be afraid of the Bengals.

The prediction here is this will be a big offensive season in Cincinnati.

"The potential of this team is off the charts," Benson said in a recent phone interview with CBSSports.com. "I'm just ecstatic."

Start with Benson, who started over with the Bengals last season after he was released by the Bears. He played 12 games in Cincinnati and set career highs with 214 carries for 747 yards and 20 catches for 185 yards. He also scored two touchdowns.

Benson enters this season as a featured back for the first time in his career. He finally has a coaching staff and teammates who believe in him, and Fantasy owners should as well.

Benson knows what it's like to have high hopes after being the No. 4 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft before struggling with the Bears. He knows this could be his last chance to show his talent as a starter.

"I don't have any more time to be wasting," Benson said. "I feel like I'm in my prime, and I have to make it count."

Benson, who should be drafted as a No. 3 Fantasy running back with a mid-round pick, said being released by the Bears was the wake-up call he needed.

"I'm very excited to be a featured back," Benson said. "I know I'm in a fortunate situation. In this league, you never know what to expect. You should never get too confident. I just have to keep working hard."

Benson sees that same resolve in his teammates. He said Palmer has been impressive in his recovery from last year's elbow injury, which limited Palmer to just four games last year. Benson said Palmer has looked great all offseason and should return to his Pro Bowl form. He also said Palmer should look in his direction more often.

"I'm there man," Benson said. "Pass me the ball. I tell him all the time I'm his money maker."

Benson isn't he only one who believes in Palmer. Former quarterback and current CBS NFL analyst Steve Beuerlein said Palmer will rebound this year.

Beuerlein, who also plays Fantasy Football, said he would draft Palmer this year as his starting quarterback, and he's right. You can target Palmer with a mid-round pick after all the elite quarterbacks come off the board.

"I have a good feeling about Carson Palmer this year," Beuerlein said. "He has a quiet confidence that I like in a quarterback. I think he will have a solid year. I'm hoping he's available as a middle-round pick in my league. By the end of the year, he'll be near the top of the standings in all leagues. He could end up as a solid No. 1.

"He was a Top 3 guy before (the injury). There are other guys who have passed him, but by the end of the year he could be up there again."

Beuerlein said a big key for Palmer will be finding a replacement for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who left as a free agent for Seattle. He also said getting Ochocinco back on top of his game will make Palmer a star again.

Ochocinco had a down year also in 2008. He dealt with injuries and the loss of Palmer and finished with the worst totals since his rookie season with 53 catches for 540 yards and four touchdowns.

But Ochocinco also had a good offseason and appears poised for a rebound. He's worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy wide receiver with the chance to play like a No. 2 option. We should see plenty of touchdown celebrations again this season.

"He's on a mission," Beuerlein said. "A lot of people think his best years are behind him. I think he's motivated for a big year. Both he and Carson are motivated for a big year."

As for replacing Houshmandzadeh -- who was Palmer's security blanket, averaging 98 catches for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns the past three years -- signing Coles and keeping Henry out of trouble will help. Coles wants to show leaving the Jets was a good move and that he can still be a dependable go-to option. And Henry is trying to turn his career around.

We like Coles as a low-end No. 3 Fantasy wide receiver, especially if the majority of Houshmandzadeh's production comes his way. He's still learning the new offense, but Coles is coming off a good season last year with 70 catches for 850 yards and seven touchdowns.

"I don't think Laveranues Coles is a big step down from Houshmandzadeh," Beuerlein said. "I like Housh, but when the year is over I'm pretty sure they aren't going to say they lost a lot with Coles there."

Beuerlein also likes Henry, who has been the star of the preseason early on. Every Fantasy owner should consider Henry a sleeper on Draft Day, and he's worth a late-round pick.

The suspensions are behind him, and he's focused on football, which is showing in his play.

"If he stays on the field that's a huge weapon," Beuerlein said.

The Bengals have plenty of weapons this season, and Fantasy owners should take notice. It's going to be a big year on offense in Cincinnati.

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