The Cincinnati Bengals are entering one of my least favorite parts of the NFL offseason. Free agency is essentially over, the NFL Draft is still a few weeks away, and there are no practices to observe. 

It's all a bunch of nothing, and the more time goes by with nothing happening, the worse conversations tend to become. 

To help pass the time, a lot of you had questions because I asked for some a few days ago. I did my best to answer them.

"Any idea on what's going on with [Brandon] Scherff and [Will] Hernandez, or are they dragging their feet again?" – @scuds60

"Will the Bengals sign another veteran guard?" – @stpalme 

We did received some added clarity on this. Nothing's going to happen before the draft. If the Bengals leave the first three rounds without selecting someone who can play guard, it would be shocking to say the least. The unlikely scenario in which they pass on a guard with a premium pick is the scenario in which a free agent would need to enter the picture.

I think the further the pick is away from the first round, the more likely we'll see someone like Scherff or Hernandez sign with the team. A first-round pick at that spot is going to start, and a second-rounder is very close to being a guarantee. The competition would simply be between Lucas Patrick, Cody Ford, and Cordell Volson. I can see you reading that. I don't like it either. 

The more I read the terrain, the more unlikely it is they'll draft someone in the first two rounds and they'll sign one of the notable names. I'm not ruling it out entirely, but that sounds like a best case scenario that simply doesn't happen in Cincinnati.

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"Did the Bengals ever make an offer for Teven Jenkins?" – @JoshuaW39494987

Other people may know, but I do not. My educated guess has been the Bengals floated Jenkins a multi-year offer with zero future guarantees. For a player who eventually signed a one-year deal to be a backup, the Bengals likely wanted to protect themselves from the injury risks and inconsistencies that are linked to Jenkins. He didn't want to be locked in to a team-friendly deal, so he'll re-enter the market next year for another try. Perhaps he sees an opportunity to emerge with the Cleveland Browns.

"Can you explain how the Bengals process works in FA? Who decides who they go after and who decides their valuation for the contract offer." – @westchesterkid

What a revelation this would be. Not many people know all the details of this process. Director of pro scouting Steven Radicevic gets most of the credit in this area, and senior personnel executive Trey Brown also plays a role in identifying targets. Their work funnels up to Director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who oversees the entire department, but nothing major actually happens without executives Katie and Troy Blackburn successfully negotiating. That's about the extent of what I believe I know.

"Biggest winners and losers from the coaching changes?" – @slimschadler

Volson needs mentioning here. New offensive line coach Scott Peters shouldn't be looked at as a miracle worker, but Volson is likely to stick around for the summer barring a Scherff-esque signing, and he'll get the attention he needs to fix the plethora of problems with his technique. The good news is there's already a good base with his run blocking. He just needs to play with better pad level and know where to strike with his hands. That's right up Peters' alley.

As for a loser, I'm not sure there is one at the moment. This roster looks incredibly similar to last year! Geno Stone is still around and projected to start, but it would not surprise me at all if new defensive coordinator Al Golden drafted his own Jessie Bates III on Day 2 and Stone becomes 2018 George Iloka. Missing tackles is a direct betrayal of Golden's defensive philosophy. I can't imagine he'll have much tolerance for it.

"How do the Bengals rank against the rest of the AFC North teams for offseason signings and roster management?" – @MrEd315

Fascinating question. The Browns paid Myles Garrett the bad team tax but that decision still keeps the best overall pass rusher in the game there for another four years. I do like some of their smaller signings and think Maliek Collins was a good get for that front. I view the Steelers similarly as trading for and signing D.K. Metcalf was a bit egregious but their other moves were solid. The Ravens didn't really do anything outside of paying Ronnie Stanley and signing Deandre Hopkins because the salary cap is real, but their roster is still in good shape and they actually have a quarterback unlike the Browns and Steelers.

No one in the division really stood out from the rest, which is good for the Bengals, but I think I'd still put the Browns and Steelers slightly over them since they made more more improvements to the team. The Ravens kind of fit right beside the Bengals behind those two.

"One position Bengals fans are too worried about and one they aren’t worried enough about?" – @MrKCincy

I've seen people fret about not having a No. 1 cornerback on the roster and I just don't think that's a big issue. The A.J. Green and Julio Jones days are gone. Offenses will put their best weapons wherever they want now, and it's up to the entire back seven to stop him. You need a good pass rush and an athletic and cohesive secondary to win defensively. I think the pieces are pretty much there at cornerback. Would a great one help? For sure, but it's not a need like it was even just a few years ago.

One of the reasons why I believe the Bengals are looking at college left tackles is because there isn't a quality swing tackle on this roster, and that should be more concerning to folk. Orlando Brown Jr. is coming off a rare injury-filled season and Amarius Mims dealt with his own minor ailments and still has that stigma attached to him. Cody Ford should be viewed as a guard, which leaves Devin Cochran to backup both spots at the moment. Even with a QB like Joe Burrow who can handle pressure off the edge, quality depth behind the two 6'8" studs is important.

"Who's your dream pick at [pick No.] 17?" – @mpants60

Mason Graham. Maybe the NFL is secretly scared of his small hands and wingspan? I doubt it, but of all the top prospects who could fall because of stupidity, he's the one that I'd sprint to the podium or even trade up for. A great 3-technique who could also help make Kris Jenkins Jr. the player he was in college? Sign me up.

Alright I'll wake up now.  

"Which unit will be better in 2025: Bengals IOL or the Reds outfield?" – @slimschadler

Hahahahahahaha. . .*cries in despair*

What’s your draft day setup?" – @nangleberger

I like the TV overlooking my computer from the couch set up. Hope to see you on the stream with Jake. 

"How excited are you that the Bengals are upgrading their press conference room so we can finally hear the reporters' questions?" – @flamcheesy

It'll be great, but no one should be more excited than you, Andy. Your work starting the petition for better audio quality in Bengals pressers while subtitling those same pressers has been such a cool niche to observe. They should name the press conference room after you in all honesty.

Bengals EVP Katie Blackburn tells it like it is regarding ongoing contract negotiations with Trey Hendrickson

“We’re just gonna see where it goes.”