Top 10 Bengals veterans to make an impact: Part 1

The Bengals start training camp in just under two weeks. Expectations are extremely high this season in a championship or bust year for a team that is looking to bounce back from consecutive playoff losses. There are plenty of standouts on the 2013 Bengals roster, and many of the Bengals are at the top of the league at their respective positions. These are the top ten non-rookies who are the best of the best on one of the AFC's most talented teams.

10. Kevin Zeitler-Zeitler was the definition of a plug-and-play acquisition that the Bengals envisioned him to be when they selected him with their second pick in the first round in 2012. Zeitler handled all of his responsibilities at the right guard spot masterfully in his rookie season by starting every game and earning a grade of +13.3 by Pro Football Focus. Zeitler will only continue to improve and will ultimately take over the leadership role on the offensive line from Andrew Whitworth in a few years. This season, Zeitler can become the best interior offensive lineman the Bengals have had since Eric Steinbach.

9. James Harrison-Harrison was the biggest acquisition the Bengals made in the offseason when he signed a two year deal to become the starting "SAM" linebacker for Cincinnati. Harrison will certainly be counted on to have an impact year for the Bengals with a lot of pass rushing attention focused on Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, and Michael Johnson. Harrison had six sacks and two forced fumbles on a less talented pass rushing Steelers defense last season. No doubt Harrison can still play at a high level at 35 years old and the Bengals might catch lightning in a bottle and see Harrison take his game back to the 2008-10 stretch when he had 36.5 sacks.

8. Vontaze Burfict-If it wasn't for Cincinnati native and St. Xavier High School product Luke Kuechly taking up all the attention, Burfict would have easily been considered the top young linebacker prospect in the NFL after joining the Bengals from the ranks of the undrafted. Burfict was a great hitter at Arizona State, but his decision making was suspect in college and when he got his life on track as a professional, Burfict became a consistent force in passing and run defense. Burfict was a tackling machine last season with 127 and also had two fumble recoveries. Burfict will once again be counted on as a solid presence on the Bengals' defense, and there's no reason to believe he won't improve.

7. Mohamed Sanu-People may think Sanu is being overvalued in the seventh spot out of all of the Bengals' veteran players, but Sanu's ability to catch almost every ball thrown his way is right there with AJ Green's. Sanu played in nine games last season and only started a few, but he caught four touchdowns in those starts and helped guide the offense into a high octane, scoring machine. Sanu finished with sixteen catches for 154 yards before he went down with a season ending injury, but he has responded well this offseason and looked like a mismatch for defenses once again in workouts. A healthy Sanu on the field means a better Andy Dalton and a better AJ Green.

6. Jermaine Gresham-Gresham's final game of the season against the Texans may put a damper in the minds of some fans in regards to his receiving ability, but Gresham really had a fantastic year for the Bengals at the tight end spot. People tend to forget some of the tight ends before Gresham who had no  impact in the receiving game. Gresham blocks well and is too big for a cornerback to cover and too quick for a linebacker to cover. He needs to be much more consistent when the ball is thrown his way, but Gresham is just twenty-five years old and should continue to work on his craft and get better. Gresham finished last season as a Pro Bowler with 737 yards and five touchdowns. The 6'5 target will also benefit from two tight end sets that will leave him in favorable coverage match ups because of the addition of rookie Tyler Eifert.

Rich Hidy
Cincy Sports Spot