Miami Dolphins

Dolphins at Bengals: 5 best fantasy options

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates the touchdown scored by running back Jeremy Hill (32) against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Hill and the ground game will be vital for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.

The Dolphins will arrive at Paul Brown Stadium to begin Week 4 of the 2016 NFL season with the league’s 31st-ranked run defense. It’s a terrific opportunity for Hill to spark what has been a sluggish Cincy rushing attack into life.

But he’s not the only Bengal who can help the hosts rebound from two-straight defeats. Here are the top fantasy football options for this matchup from both rosters.

5. Dion Sims

A key injury means Dion Sims has an excellent chance to showcase his underrated array of skills and prove his value to the Miami offense. Sims should feature because the Dolphins will be without regular tight end Jordan Cameron:

Jordan Cameron will miss Thursday night's game after suffering a concussion yesterday. https://t.co/h7s2bOMmdC

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 26, 2016

It’s a chance for a player with the size and athleticism to be a match-up nightmare to torment the Cincinnati defense. Standing 6’4″ and weighing 271 pounds, Sims is the kind of big body safeties and slot defenders can’t handle over the middle.

He’s also quick enough out of his break to pose a problem for the Bengals’ plodding linebackers, even if Vontaze Burfict is back from suspension.

There’s something reminiscent of Ben Coates about the way Sims plays. He just needs the ball to prove it. He’d also be helped by Miami head coach Adam Gase getting more creative with how he deploys No. 80. He must move Sims around formations to isolate physically overmatched defenders in coverage.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been talking up Sims’ ability to make an impact, per ESPN‘s James Walker. But now isn’t the time for talk. Instead, it’s the time to just get Sims the damn ball.

Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) avoids Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Joe Schobert (53) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jarvis Landry

Jarvis Landry should have paid close attention to what Emmanuel Sanders did to this Bengals secondary in Week 3. The Denver Broncos wideout tormented Cincy, specifically cornerback Adam Jones, en route to nine catches, 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Landry can have a similar impact this week. Miami’s best receiver is a lot like Sanders in the way he’s a possession-style, savvy route-runner who also boasts deceptive vertical speed.

Landry can burn the Bengals on many of the quick screens, short crossers and deep slants Sanders ran wild on last week. Gase may need to expand the playbook for weapons like Sims, but he has no trouble getting Landry the ball. The third-year flanker has 17 catches for 255 yards over his last two games.

Landry has developed a niche on crossing routes, and Gase knows how to hide the former LSU man in bunch looks that give him an uncontested release off the line.

Oct 11, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates after his team defeated the Seattle Seahawks at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Seattle 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

3. Andy Dalton

Cincinnati’s quarterback suffered a miserable game against the Broncos, missing on 10 of his passes, suffering four sacks and tossing an interception. So Andy Dalton should be delighted to see a Dolphins defense that allowed Browns rookie Cody Kessler to throw for 244 yards come to town.

There wasn’t an issue the Dolphins weren’t guilty of in coverage last week, as Kessler was allowed to spread the ball around and rip off big plays deep.

Those are skills the Cincinnati offense is built to foster. Coordinator Ken Zampese needs to get everybody involved this week. So Dalton should be targeting rookie receiver Tyler Boyd and running back Giovani Bernard early.

However, he shouldn’t waste the chance to test these Dolphins deep. Some vertical strikes to Brandon LaFell are in order. But Dalton will get back on track if his running game finally clicks into gear.

Aug 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) carries the ball in the first half against the Chicago Bears in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jeremy Hill

The best way to get Dalton in the groove will be to let Jeremy Hill wear the Dolphins down early. It will mean sticking with the run longer than the Bengals did in Week 3.

Hill started brightly against the Broncos, ripping off a 50-yard run before scoring from the three. But scattershot, pass-heavy play-calling, along with Denver’s defensive adjustments, meant he was limited the rest of the day.

Hill still finished with 97 yards rushing, but he wasn’t the same force as the game wore on. The Bengals need to give him the pill early and keeping feeding him against the Dolphins.

Miami’s defensive front has been surprisingly soft against inside runs despite the presence of Ndamukong Suh at tackle. Wide splits taken by Suh and ends Cameron Wake and Mario Williams are part of the problem. They create inviting lanes for lead draws up the middle.

Offensive linemen are also finding it easy to get blockers on a lightweight linebacker corps at the second level. Kiko Alonso, Jelani Jenkins and Donald Butler can all be swallowed up in traffic, while both Spencer Paysinger and Koa Misi are better against the pass.

If guards Kevin Zeitler and Clint Boling can get off double teams up front, they’ll create convoys Hill will thrive behind.

Sep 20, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

1. A.J. Green

If Terrelle Pryor can burn you for eight catches and 144 yards, the last thing you need to see is A.J. Green lining up across from your secondary. It’s how Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph must be feeling this week.

Joseph needs a plan for Green, but his secondary is currently hamstrung by the inconsistency of cornerback Byron Maxwell. The Dolphins’ coverage techniques could also see Green run riot.

Miami likes to roll its corners up in press-man coverage. But Green is big enough to shake loose. He’s also a master of the double moves smart receivers use to easily burn this tactic.

Putting cornerbacks at close quarters will also give the Bengals the chance to execute one of their favorite ploys. It involves releasing Green on quick screens behind convoys of blockers on the edge. Zampese loves to align O-linemen in split positions in front of Green. He’s screened from would-be tacklers and free to unleash his devastating after-the-catch skills.

Green’s been quiet for two weeks, but he’s a good bet to rebound in a big way against the Dolphins.