James Brooks became one of the toughest running backs thanks to his elite quickness paired with a penchant for explosive plays. When he retired, Brooks was the franchise leader in rushing yards and sixth in receptions as well, solidifying himself as one of the best dual-threat running backs of his time.
Despite sharing locker rooms with a legend like Anthony Munoz, Willie Anderson was able to make a mark in the league, starting with 2003 when he earned his first All-Pro selection. From there, he was selected to the first-team three-straight times and earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of those years. Anderson paved the way for Rudi Johnson to set the franchise's single season rushing record as well as helping Corey Dillon break the single-game rookie and game record in rushing.
The all-time leading rusher in Bengals history with 8,061 yards, Corey Dillon earned four Pro Bowl selections in his career, and broke Jim Brown's 275-yard rushing game with 278 in 2000. For his career, he tallied 11,241 yards and 82 touchdowns, utilizing his combination of speed, strength, and agility to devastating effect. In 2024, Dillon was inducted into the Bengals Ring of Honor.
Eight Pro Bowl honors and two first-team All-Pro selections don't do justice to the havoc-wreaking force that was Geno Atkins. He still holds the Bengals interior lineman record with 75.5 sacks and was a member of the NFL's 2010s All-Decade team as well.
A pick machine, Ken Riley snagged 65 interceptions in his career, the most in Bengals franchise history. The ballhawk earned three All-Pro selections in his career, ending with an eight interception year that included two pick-sixes. He was named to each of the Bengals' 40th and 50th Anniversary Team, while being inducted into the Ring of Honor as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
With an MVP and four Pro Bowls to his name, Ken Anderson isn't a name that was going to be end up low on this list. Precise with his passing, he compiled 3,754 yards and 29 touchdowns in his MVP campaign where he also won the OPOY award, leading Cincinnati to a Super Bowl berth. He led the league in passing twice, with his completion percentage and passer rating leading the league an additional two and four time respectively. On his career, Anderson tallied 32,838 yards while adding 197 touchdowns, earning his spot in the Bengals' Ring of Honor.
The 1988 league MVP, Boomer Esiason took over from Anderson as he compiled 3,572 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance. He tallied 37,920 yards and 247 touchdowns in his career, earning an All-Pro and four Pro Bowl selections in his career that saw him get elected to the Bengals Ring of Honor.
AJ Green was one of the most prolific receivers in Bengals history right from the offset. Starting off his career with seven straight Pro Bowl selections, he made two All-Pro selections. For his career, he had six years tallying over 1,000 receiving yards, finishing second to No. 2 on this list in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions. For his career, he compiled 10,514 yards and 70 touchdowns.
Six Pro Bowl selections on the back of six straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons for one of the most flamboyant football personalities ever. Chad Johnson added three All-Pro selections to his collection, with six individual seasons of at least seven touchdowns as he finished his career as the franchise leader in receiving yards and touchdowns. He was a member of the Bengals' 40th and 50th Anniversary Teams and was elected to their Ring of Honor as well.
Arguably the greatest tackle in NFL history, Anthony Munoz isn't giving up his spot as the greatest Bengal of all-time anytime soon, unless Joe Burrow leads them to a Super Bowl victory. Munoz racked up 11 Pro Bowls and nine first-team All-Pro selections in his time, with two additional second-team selections to his name as well. A member of the 1980s All-Decade team, he was named to the NFL's 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team as well. He made two Super Bowls with the squad and was a member of the original Ring of Honor for the Bengals in 2021, over two decades after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
