Bengals plan to improve offensive line through signing of free agent guard
Just in case you were unaware: The Cincinnati Bengals need help on the offensive line. Fortunately for the Bengals -and Joe Burrow, mainly- it looks as if they found some in free agent guard Alex Cappa. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals intend to sign the former Buccaneer to a four-year, $40 million deal when […]
Just in case you were unaware: The Cincinnati Bengals need help on the offensive line.
Fortunately for the Bengals -and Joe Burrow, mainly- it looks as if they found some in free agent guard Alex Cappa.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals intend to sign the former Buccaneer to a four-year, $40 million deal when free agency officially begins at 4pm E.T. on March 16.
If the deal holds through (even though it's unlikely, things could change by Wednesday), then the Bengals are getting a solid starter in Cappa. The Bucs drafted him out of DII's Humboldt State during the 2018 NFL Draft. A former third-round pick, Cappa essentially redshirted during his rookie season before becoming a three-year starter for the Buccaneers.
Cappa should immediately start for the Bengals and he is entering his prime. He has Pro Bowl upside, but it will be interesting to see how he performs without Ryan Jensen and Tristan Wirfs on each side.
Cappa is also more of a fit for a gap running scheme, as opposed to the zone scheme the Bengals prefer. The Bengals do run power from time-to-time, however, so it will be interesting to see if they make any adjustments to help fit Cappa's play strengths.
But the most important facet of Cappa's game is his pass blocking ability, for obvious reasons. He's improved in that regard each year and finished 2021 with the highest pass blocking grade of his career, per Pro Football Focus. However, he did allow a career-high sacks (5) and total pressures (35), which is something that should be taken into account.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
