Remaining needs for the Cincinnati Bengals entering the second week of NFL free agency
Many years ago (maybe not too many), the second week of free agency was when the Cincinnati Bengals woke up, signing bargain bin veterans to affordable third contracts that would act as cheap bandaids to gashing wounds. We're far past that now, but the current Bengals do not yet have a roster without glaring holes.As […]
Many years ago (maybe not too many), the second week of free agency was when the Cincinnati Bengals woke up, signing bargain bin veterans to affordable third contracts that would act as cheap bandaids to gashing wounds.
We're far past that now, but the current Bengals do not yet have a roster without glaring holes.
As player acquisition season charges on into a more elongated period, here's what the Bengals still need to cover before the NFL Draft arrives in April. Positions such as running back, tight end, and safety aren't included as they’ve been addressed so far.
Right tackle
The first of two major needs is at the top because of the implication, and we're not talking about buying a mattress for a boat. The Bengals not signing a right tackle to replace Jonah Williams soon will force the team to target one with the 18th overall pick in the NFL Draft, which is incredibly risky if they're boxed in with no other choice.
To be clear, the Bengals should have the mindset of spending a first-round pick on such an important position, especially in what looks to be a strong class, but pigeonholing themselves leads to situations like Billy Price. Avoiding that if they can is a must.
Protecting Joe Burrow remains priority No. 1, which is why a veteran is still expected to be added eventually.
Nose tackle (2i)
The position still needs a body entering the draft. DJ Reader left for the Detroit Lions, which opens up plenty of snaps next to the rotating duo of B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins. There's no replacing Reader as a two-gapping monster at the 2i alignment, but the Bengals have no one on their roster who can adequately play his role.
Free agency has been kind to the interior defensive line market, which is why there aren't many veterans left available a week after the frenzy began. The Bengals risk getting worse at the position entering the draft if they don't seal the deal with a player like Teair Tart, who visited last week, or trade for a starter.
It may be a worst case scenario they have to deal with.
Cornerback
The departure of Chidobe Awuzie was expected as his starting gig was already filled by DJ Turner II last season. The depth behind Turner, however, doesn't really exist.
DJ Ivey flashed briefly as a fellow rookie with Turner last year, but a torn ACL suffered in December makes him questionable to return in time for the upcoming season. Allan George is the only other outside cornerback behind Turner and Cam Taylor-Britt.
The Bengals have always been comfortable stacking the cornerback spot. A veteran signing akin to Sidney Jones last season is very realistic.
Wide receiver
All eyes are on the draft here. The Bengals take from the Day 2 receiver well pretty much every four years, and the clock is about to reset in a few weeks. A rookie competing with the likes of Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, and Charlie Jones for placement behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins rounds out the room perfectly.
Ideally, this rookie can play in the slot and as the flanker, giving the team additional help in replacing slot receiver Tyler Boyd, and a contingency plan for Higgins out wide.
Punter
The Bengals haven't signed a free agent punter in years, so it's not shocking to see them ignore the position thus far. That said, there's a great chance Brad Robbins won't be punting by himself when offseason workouts begin. Perhaps an undrafted free agent is the way to go here.
Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Tracker: New signings, re-signings, and everything else
All the latest updates on 2024 NFL free agency and the Bengals.
