The Cincinnati Bengals' top priority this offseason is improving their offensive line.

One suggestion that I've seen a lot over the last 24 hours has been that the Bengals should trade for Dallas Cowboys right tackle La'el Collins.

Collins was granted permission this week to seek a trade. If the Cowboys can't find a trade partner, they're expected to release the former LSU standout (Dallas is desperately trying to clear salary cap space).

Adding Collins would certainly improve Cincinnati's offensive line. But I don't think it's the slam dunk that many think it is.

For starters, let's not forget that Collins missed the first five games of the 2021 season after he missed multiple drug tests and tried to bribe the test collector.

(The NFLPA got Collins' suspension reduced to two games, but Collins insisted on appealing. The arbitrator not only denied his appeal but also increased the suspension back to five games.)

Is that the type of player the Bengals want to bring into their culture?

Even if the answer is yes, I'm not sure Collins fills the need for Cincinnati that fans think he will.

Collins was graded by Pro Football Focus last year as the No. 15 offensive tackle in the NFL with a grade of 82.0.

Not bad right?

The problem with that grade is that it's inflated because of Collins' elite run-blocking skills. Collins grades at 89.7 for run blocking — No. 3 among tackles.

His pass blocking, however, wasn't quite as good. Collins grades at 74.3 as a pass blocker which is No. 28 among NFL tackles.  Again, not bad, but not Pro-Bowl caliber, either.

The Bengals could sign veteran Dennis Kelly, who has a similar pass-blocking grade as Collins, for much cheaper. That makes way more sense. Keep the draft picks, save money and get the same production.

Or Cincinnati could go big and sign Teron Armstead, the No. 4 overall pass-blocking tackle in the NFL last season. And one of the top free agent offensive linemen available this offseason.

Collins would make the Bengals better, but it just feels like there are more efficient ways to address the offensive line this offseason.

Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK