2023 Cincinnati Bengals Part 1: Offseason

[Kingspoint]

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/02/browns-safety-john-johnson-iii-will-be-released-by-march-15-barring-trade-bengals-s-jessie-bates-iii-on-their-radar.html

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Browns will release safety John Johnson III at the start of the league year barring a trade, a league source told cleveland.com, and Bengals safety Jessie Bates III is on their radar to replace him if he hits the market. Cleveland.com has reported since January that Johnson, 27, would be traded, released or restructured because of his $13.5 million cap charge for 2023. If he’s released with a June 1 designation, the Browns will save $9.75 million on the cap with a dead cap hit of only $3.75 million.

The Browns are expected to pursue Bates if he’s not extended, franchised or traded to someone besides the Browns. A 2020 second-team All-Pro, Bates would likely average more than $14 million a year in a new deal, but he’s the caliber of impact safety the Browns are seeking to replace Johnson. He had four interceptions in 2022, and in his five-year career with the Bengals, Bates has recorded 479 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 43 pass breakups and 14 interceptions.

The Bengals will likely try to keep him if they can. “I’ve been drafted here. I became a man here,” Bates said after the Bengals’ AFC championship loss to the Chiefs. “I’d love to be here, but that’s out of my control. Whatever happens at the end of the day, I can say I love my brothers like no other. I played my heart out like no other. And that’s all you can really control, at the end of the day. “I’ll be able to look back on this and learn from it and have those connections forever.”

[KoryMac5]

Would be typical Cleveland to overpay on a safety...

[Kingspoint]

We should go after Kareem Hunt. His costs will be affordable, while he has 200+ quality touches in him over the next four seasons.

[Redhook]

That last comment suggests that they are going to do what they can to keep Bates. If they aren't going to keep him, they should franchise-tag him so they can trade him mid-season and get a nice return. They could get two 1st's for him.


2 firsts for Bates in that scenario?

[Boss-Hog]

2 firsts for Bates in that scenario?The Bengals won't be franchising Bates again - not when they already drafted his (or Bell's) replacement in the first round last year and considering they'd have to give him a 20% raise to franchise him a second time. That's not going to happen with the other extension candidates they have on their plate. Any franchised player's trade value is significantly reduced by the fact they can't sign an extension with a team once the deadline passes in July, so there's absolutely zero chance Bates, especially under the franchise tag, has that sort of trade value.

[Kingspoint]

2 firsts for Bates in that scenario?

That's what top Safeties have brought twice in trades lately.

[Boss-Hog]

That's what top Safeties have brought twice in trades lately.Which two safeties were those, and was either traded while under the franchise tag after the extension deadline had passed?

[Redhook]

Which two safeties were those, and was either traded while under the franchise tag after the extension deadline had passed?

I agree. While Bates is very good, there’s no way he’d bring back two firsts after being franchised. I don’t think there’s a chance he’d bring back one first round pick.

[Kingspoint]

I agree. While Bates is very good, there’s no way he’d bring back two firsts after being franchised. I don’t think there’s a chance he’d bring back one first round pick.

Over the last three seasons, he has the 4th highest overall PFF grade for Safeties.

[Kingspoint]

February 11th, 2023 at 2:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tyler Boyd has been a consistent complimentary piece in the Burrow era, but the presence of Higgins and Chase has had an unsurprising effect on the veteran’s workload. Boyd has seen his target and reception totals drop in each of the past three seasons. His 762 yards this past campaign was his fewest since 2017, and he figures to continue taking on a smaller role in the team’s passing attack. Knowing that, the 28-year-old is aware of his status as a cut candidate. Boyd is under contract for one more year at a cap hit of $10.3MM, but with no guaranteed money left on his pact, the Bengals would see just under $9MM in savings via a release. He recently acknowledged the possibility of his Bengals tenure coming to an end, albeit with an optimistic tone.

“We’ll see what they want to do with me, but I know I’m still entitled for a year,” Boyd said, via ESPN’s Ben Baby. “I’m not counting my chances of not being here out. You never know.” The Bengals are currently in better shape than most teams in terms of cap space, but several extensions with recent draftees need to be budgeted for. Whether or not their highly-acclaimed receiving trio remains intact for one more year will be worth watching as the offseason takes shape.

[WVRed]

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2023/02/browns-safety-john-johnson-iii-will-be-released-by-march-15-barring-trade-bengals-s-jessie-bates-iii-on-their-radar.html

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Browns will release safety John Johnson III at the start of the league year barring a trade, a league source told cleveland.com, and Bengals safety Jessie Bates III is on their radar to replace him if he hits the market. Cleveland.com has reported since January that Johnson, 27, would be traded, released or restructured because of his $13.5 million cap charge for 2023. If he’s released with a June 1 designation, the Browns will save $9.75 million on the cap with a dead cap hit of only $3.75 million.

The Browns are expected to pursue Bates if he’s not extended, franchised or traded to someone besides the Browns. A 2020 second-team All-Pro, Bates would likely average more than $14 million a year in a new deal, but he’s the caliber of impact safety the Browns are seeking to replace Johnson. He had four interceptions in 2022, and in his five-year career with the Bengals, Bates has recorded 479 tackles, six tackles for a loss, 43 pass breakups and 14 interceptions.

The Bengals will likely try to keep him if they can. “I’ve been drafted here. I became a man here,” Bates said after the Bengals’ AFC championship loss to the Chiefs. “I’d love to be here, but that’s out of my control. Whatever happens at the end of the day, I can say I love my brothers like no other. I played my heart out like no other. And that’s all you can really control, at the end of the day. “I’ll be able to look back on this and learn from it and have those connections forever.”

I see the Falcons being a major player for Bates. Supposedly he’s been already being courted by them in unofficial tampering season.

[RiverRat13]

I see the Falcons being a major player for Bates. Supposedly he’s been already being courted by them in unofficial tampering season.

He's been seen hanging out with Falcons players. I read somewhere that Bates to Atlanta is the worst kept secret in the league. I'd be good with him landing there.

[Redhook]

Over the last three seasons, he has the 4th highest overall PFF grade for Safeties.

Yes, he’s very good, but why would a team give up first round picks mid season for a player who’s going to be a free agent after the season? Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think a team would give up a lot unless he was under contract already.

[WVRed]

The old Bengals regime would be elated to have Jalen Carter fall to them.

Now, not so much.

[Redhook]

The old Bengals regime would be elated to have Jalen Carter fall to them.

Now, not so much.

Yeah, it's fun times and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. And, with Burrow and Katie leading the way, it seems sustainable for a long time unlike the years with Dalton/Lewis/Brown that felt kind of lucky with no high ceiling (Super Bowls). Now, we just need to the Reds to follow suit in a couple of years.

[WVRed]

Yeah, it's fun times and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. And, with Burrow and Katie leading the way, it seems sustainable for a long time unlike the years with Dalton/Lewis/Brown that felt kind of lucky with no high ceiling (Super Bowls). Now, we just need to the Reds to follow suit in a couple of years.

I don’t disagree with anything you typed but I was referring more to the culture of taking chances on players with questionable character issues. Jalen Carter would have been a pick under the previous regime with Marvin and now I don’t think he even gets any consideration by the Bengals if he falls to 28.

[Ohayou]

Uh, maybe I'm forgetting someone, but who under Lewis did we draft that was directly involved with the death of 2 people?

[WVRed]

Uh, maybe I'm forgetting someone, but who under Lewis did we draft that was directly involved with the death of 2 people?

We did have Vontaze Burfict who probably made Antonio Brown go cray cray.

But yeah, not really comparable.

[Kingspoint]

Yes, he’s very good, but why would a team give up first round picks mid season for a player who’s going to be a free agent after the season? Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think a team would give up a lot unless he was under contract already.

Rams did.

[Boss-Hog]

Rams did.That's apples and oranges for a couple reasons. Jalen Ramsey (I assume that's who you're talking about) was on a cheap rookie deal plus had the fifth year option the next year that could be exercised, so he was not a free agent nor was he franchise tagged whereas Jessie Bates would be. Again, once that deadline passes in July, the player can't be signed to extension without hitting the market, and that still applies if traded. Secondly, despite your earlier statement, I can't think of any safety who was traded for two first round picks (franchise tagged or not), let alone two. Ramsey is a cornerback, which generally speaking, are valued and paid more highly than safeties, and he was widely considered to be the best CB in the league at the time. Bates is highly regarded, but I doubt any team considers him the best safety in the league and worth giving up two first round picks without the possibility of signing an extension before hitting the open market. If that was the case, the Bengals would've happily taken advantage this past year after drafting a first round safety.

[Redhook]

That's apples and oranges for a couple reasons. Jalen Ramsey (I assume that's who you're talking about) was on a cheap rookie deal plus had the fifth year option the next year that could be exercised, so he was not a free agent nor was he franchise tagged whereas Jessie Bates would be. Again, once that deadline passes in July, the player can't be signed to extension without hitting the market, and that still applies if traded. Secondly, despite your earlier statement, I can't think of any safety who was traded for two first round picks (franchise tagged or not), let alone two. Ramsey is a cornerback, which generally speaking, are valued and paid more highly than safeties, and he was widely considered to be the best CB in the league at the time. Bates is highly regarded, but I doubt any team considers him the best safety in the league and worth giving up two first round picks without the possibility of signing an extension before hitting the open market. If that was the case, the Bengals would've happily taken advantage this past year after drafting a first round safety.

Well said and I don’t think there’s any chance Bates is franchised or signed to a long-term contact with the Bengals. Hopefully, Dax fills in nicely this year. While safety isn’t the most important position in defense, I would resign Vonn Bell so they don’t have to start two new safeties this year.

[Redhook]

So, after they cut Mixon (it’s still confusing with the different dates), will they have around $43 in cap space? Will they use some of that to front load Burrow’s extension?

What’s the best way to spend that money? I’d like to bring back Bell, Apple (ugh, but he’s not that bad and I’m not sure Awuzie will be 100% this year), Perine and maybe Hurst. What would that add up? 20 millionish?

I think they’ll have the money to bring in a good edge rusher too. And, maybe a better CB than Apple and they don’t resign him.

It’d be nice to bring back Hurst so they don’t have to force a TE early in the draft. It’d be nice to draft the BPA

[Boss-Hog]

Well said and I don’t think there’s any chance Bates is franchised or signed to a long-term contact with the Bengals. Hopefully, Dax fills in nicely this year. While safety isn’t the most important position in defense, I would resign Vonn Bell so they don’t have to start two new safeties this year.

As long as Bell isn't looking at anything unreasonable for a third contract, I'd prioritize keeping him, as I agree that it'd stink to have two new safeties after it's been such a strength the past two years. If Bell is asking for more than they want to pay, I'd certainly consider alternatives including Bates in case he doesn't find the market he's expecting, though that ship has very, very likely sailed.

[WVRed]

So, after they cut Mixon (it’s still confusing with the different dates), will they have around $43 in cap space? Will they use some of that to front load Burrow’s extension?

What’s the best way to spend that money? I’d like to bring back Bell, Apple (ugh, but he’s not that bad and I’m not sure Awuzie will be 100% this year), Perine and maybe Hurst. What would that add up? 20 millionish?

I think they’ll have the money to bring in a good edge rusher too. And, maybe a better CB than Apple and they don’t resign him.

It’d be nice to bring back Hurst so they don’t have to force a TE early in the draft. It’d be nice to draft the BPA

Even if they don’t resign Hurst you can still get a TE later. Sam LaPorta, Luke Schoonmaker, or Josh Whyle would be worth looking at.

[KoryMac5]

Whats good for the Bengals: Its a deep FA safety class. I am sure they would make Bell a good offer but if he chooses to go elsewhere they will probably see who is left without a seat when the music starts. Liscow and Rapien talked a lot about Juan Thornhill yesterday and I could see that if someone gives Bell over market value.

[WrongVerb]

Uh, maybe I'm forgetting someone, but who under Lewis did we draft that was directly involved with the death of 2 people?

The only comparable person might be Aaron Hernandez. I don't think he was being investigated when he was drafted, though I do remember a rumor that he and another UF player were involved in a murder when Hernandez was there.

[KoryMac5]

La'el Collins was linked to a double homicide days before the draft...which tanked his stock. That might be what some are remembering.

[Sea Ray]

The only comparable person might be Aaron Hernandez. I don't think he was being investigated when he was drafted, though I do remember a rumor that he and another UF player were involved in a murder when Hernandez was there.

Aaron Hernandez had nothing to do with Marvin Lewis

[RiverRat13]

We did have Vontaze Burfict who probably made Antonio Brown go cray cray.

But yeah, not really comparable.

Antonio Brown was cray cray long before the Burfict hit.

[WVRed]

Bobby Wagner makes a lot of sense if Pratt leaves.

I'm hoping this will be the first offseason where we really start to see a Burrow effect with free agents. I know we've seen it a little bit already, but the Bengals have to take advantage of late-in-career guys who want to win a ring. There's no better landing spot for guys like that outside of the Chiefs, or maybe the top couple of NFC teams (Eagles, 49ers) since that conference is weaker.

Someone I could see fitting the bill once they cut Mixon is Leonard Fournette.

He asked for his release from the Bucs so he could join a winning team and he would likely be a good locker room fit.

[KoryMac5]

Someone I could see fitting the bill once they cut Mixon is Leonard Fournette.

He asked for his release from the Bucs so he could join a winning team and he would likely be a good locker room fit.

So cut Mixon for the guy who averaged 3.5 yds per carry last year...be a tough sell for me. I think they approach Mixon about a reduced salary with incentives or draft a back and resign Perine.

Devin Singletary and Jamal Williams are also names that have been suggested.

[Hillsdale87]

Someone I could see fitting the bill once they cut Mixon is Leonard Fournette.

He asked for his release from the Bucs so he could join a winning team and he would likely be a good locker room fit.

I don't think Fournette would be a good fit because he's just not good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WVRed]

So cut Mixon for the guy who averaged 3.5 yds per carry last year...be a tough sell for me. I think they approach Mixon about a reduced salary with incentives or draft a back and resign Perine.

Devin Singletary and Jamal Williams are also names that have been suggested.

Tampas line also completely fell apart as well. Remember Mixon looked like crap early in the season until the line gelled.

I mentioned Fournette as a veteran who would be willing to take a pay cut for a chance at a ring. If Mixon is willing to do that then go that route. Not sure who I want them to draft though.

[Kingspoint]

I've completely changed my mind on "Bengals' Needs".

If there's a clear BPA, grab him. We are pretty solid top-to-bottom. We'll find a way to use him. Once the first 2-3 rounds are over with, there's not going to be a clear BPA, and then we can draft for need combined with who we have targeted through our scouting.

[Kingspoint]

I don't think Fournette would be a good fit because he's just not good


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And, he's always injured, and, he's always had motivational issues, and, he's always had trouble following instructiions.

[Sea Ray]

The Bengals have been very hesitant to draft or bring in RBs in recent yrs and I really don't get that. RB is probably the best position to find a diamond in the rough. They should draft one (even late) and bring in some UDFAs

[Kingspoint]

The Bengals have been very hesitant to draft or bring in RBs in recent yrs and I really don't get that. RB is probably the best position to find a diamond in the rough. They should draft one (even late) and bring in some UDFAs

They did great in acquiring Perine.

I also don't judge anything beyond 3-4 seasons ago as a precedent for how the Bengals operate now.

[Sea Ray]

They did great in acquiring Perine.

I also don't judge anything beyond 3-4 seasons ago as a precedent for how the Bengals operate now.

That's my point. What RBs have they drafted since Mixon?

[Todd Gack]

Uh, maybe I'm forgetting someone, but who under Lewis did we draft that was directly involved with the death of 2 people?

Chris Henry was 1?

[Kingspoint]

Chris Henry was 1?

Steven Jackson says, "Thanks".

- - - Updated - - -


That's my point. What RBs have they drafted since Mixon?

RB's should not be drafted before the 5th Round. Same goes for LB's and Guards.

[Kingspoint]

There are many players that make me go, "Oooooooooh!" when thinking of what that person would add to the team.

CB Christian Gonzalez is one of them. Projected to go in the middle of the 1st, we'd have to trade up to get him. I don't see us trading up in the 1st Round again until Joe Burrow is no longer a Bengal. But, it would be nice.

[Sea Ray]

Steven Jackson says, "Thanks".

- - - Updated - - -



RB's should not be drafted before the 5th Round. Same goes for LB's and Guards.

I agree. Draft RBs late or as UDFAs

[Kingspoint]

RB's have about a 3-year shelf-life, as far as effectiveness. They should never receive a 2nd contract, unless it's below $4M per season. Players drafted in the first four rounds, you have to hope you did your scouting right so that they deserve a 2nd contract, and for someone drafted in the first four rounds that earns a 2nd contract, it's generally going to be a decent contract in terms of both gauranteed money and years of length. That needs to be QB's, LT's, WR's, EDGE, CB, C's, S's and RT's in that order, as far as positional importance where money should be allocated. TE's are risky to draft in the 1st and 2nd Rounds. You need to get that one right, and it's a rare TE drafted there that ever pans out as worth it.

I can't see this next contract for Barkley working out well for the Giants.

Vikings look like they'll have to cut Cook if he doesn't agree to a restructured deal.

Cowboys are paying too much for Zeke.

Follow how the Chiefs do it with RB's, though they have drafted high with a RB, but they don't get new contracts.

[Kingspoint]

I'd go after Mike White as a backup for Burrow. I think that's worth a 3-year deal at $15M. It's probably the most White would be offered by anyone, including the Jets.

[KoryMac5]

That's my point. What RBs have they drafted since Mixon?

Evans and Williams were both drafted late by the Bengals and that might be the issue waiting til Rd 6 or 7 to get one...

[KoryMac5]

Chris Henry was 1?


Henry had issues at WV but I don't remember murder being one of them...

Henry had issues immediately in the Marvin era including aggravated assault with a firearm while wearing his jersey...

Marvin often took chances on talented players with criminal backgrounds due to Mike being cheap and needing their talent. The gambles rarely paid off long term.

[WVRed]

I'd go after Mike White as a backup for Burrow. I think that's worth a 3-year deal at $15M. It's probably the most White would be offered by anyone, including the Jets.

I was thinking use a late round pick (6th or 7th) on Aidan O’Connell, Stetson Bennett, or Clayton Tune. Wouldn’t be a bad year to invest in a developmental backup.

[WVRed]

Henry had issues at WV but I don't remember murder being one of them...

Henry had issues immediately in the Marvin era including aggravated assault with a firearm while wearing his jersey...

Marvin often took chances on talented players with criminal backgrounds due to Mike being cheap and needing their talent. The gambles rarely paid off long term.

Vontaze Burfict is the poster child of the Marvin Lewis era.

Character issues in college, tested positive for marijuana at the combine which he performed poorly in, described as a “loose cannon”. Yet Marvin still got the most out of him and got him to a pro bowl.

But yeah, Henry is up there too.

[bucksfan2]

Vontaze Burfict is the poster child of the Marvin Lewis era.

Character issues in college, tested positive for marijuana at the combine which he performed poorly in, described as a “loose cannon”. Yet Marvin still got the most out of him and got him to a pro bowl.

But yeah, Henry is up there too.

I always thought Tez got a bad rap. He never had any off the field issues. Sure he had some boneheaded character issues (marijuana before the combine) but he was pretty much a model citizen in Cincinnati. His biggest issue was that he never adapted to where the game was going. In yesteryear he could have been an all time great, but most of what those all time greats did, were no longer allowed in the NFL. I think he drew the ire of the NFL and officials and was never given the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he played the game with any less veracity than Ray Lewis or James Harrison, but the NFL was hell bent on eliminating that style of play.

[medford]

That's my point. What RBs have they drafted since Mixon?

Mixon was drafted in 2nd round of 2017...

Brandon Wilson 6th round 2017 (He played both ways at Houston, but was converted to S/KRfor the Bengals, listed as a RB out of the draft, which was his primary spot in college)
Mark Walton 4th round 2018
Traevyon Williams 6th round 2019
Chris Evans 6th round 2021

They also had Gio on the roster thru 2020

They signed Pooka Williams as an UDFA in 2021 and also picked up Perine in 2019 (then again in 2020)

I'm sure there are several other UDFA rbs that they have brought into camp.

I think the Bengals have pretty much done what you have asked of them in that regard. Mixon has always been fairly healthy in his NFL career with the exception of 2020.

My guess is you see them pick on up either in free agency or in the first 4 rounds of the NFL draft this season. RBs, LBs, defensive backs and WRs are typically the core of your special teams, which is why you always see those spots drafted late.

[medford]

With that said, if Bijon Robinson was sitting there at their draft pick, I'd think hard about drafting him. I feel like he could give you what Mixon provided early on in his career.

I know many would complain about drafting a RB in round 1, and I get it, but dude feels like a special talent, even if its a position of reduced importance, it is a position that can still be a huge difference maker.

[WVRed]

With that said, if Bijon Robinson was sitting there at their draft pick, I'd think hard about drafting him. I feel like he could give you what Mixon provided early on in his career.

I know many would complain about drafting a RB in round 1, and I get it, but dude feels like a special talent, even if its a position of reduced importance, it is a position that can still be a huge difference maker.

I feel like a RB that early is a luxury pick. Clyde Edwards-Helaire when he was taken the Chiefs had just won the Super Bowl and really didn’t have any weaknesses at the time. Now he’s been supplanted by a 7th round pick.

This team has some opportunities (CB, O-line, S, pass rush, interior d-line) that makes taking Bijon Robinson a mistake. Not that it matters because Buffalo, Detroit, and even Dallas will likely be possibilities for him before the Bengals pick.

[Redsfaithful]

For the first round, I just hope they can add talent at corner or either line. Arguments can be made for other positions, BPA, and so on, but I think you almost have to be continuously adding on a yearly basis to corner depth and line depth.

I'd also really love to see them pick up more picks in the 3rd-4th round. They need some quantity there so they can roll the dice more times.

[medford]

I feel like a RB that early is a luxury pick. Clyde Edwards-Helaire when he was taken the Chiefs had just won the Super Bowl and really didn’t have any weaknesses at the time. Now he’s been supplanted by a 7th round pick.

This team has some opportunities (CB, O-line, S, pass rush, interior d-line) that makes taking Bijon Robinson a mistake. Not that it matters because Buffalo, Detroit, and even Dallas will likely be possibilities for him before the Bengals pick.

Yup, I get it and can't/won't argue you points.

Still, I wouldn't be horribly upset if Robinson made his way to the Bengals. But there are lots of picks I wouldn't be upset with either, namely CB, TE, O-Line or Pass Rush :)

[bucksfan2]

If Bijan is there, you take him. I am pretty anti early RB, but there are difference makers there. I think Bijan could have a Zeke like career arch. I would be very warry about giving a RB a 2nd contract, but having that kind of difference maker in the backfield could be huge.

[Wonderful Monds]

They do have clear needs, I don’t think they can just comfortably sit on BPA

IMO the priority should be:
1A. Defensive line
1B. offensive line
2. Secondary
3. Running back
4. Linebacker

And the deciding factor for me would be: pick the guy who is most ready to step in and contribute. No more projects, no more guys who don’t get any snaps for the first half of the season. They need guys who can step in and produce now.

[KoryMac5]

If Bijan is there, you take him. I am pretty anti early RB, but there are difference makers there. I think Bijan could have a Zeke like career arch. I would be very warry about giving a RB a 2nd contract, but having that kind of difference maker in the backfield could be huge.

Agreed kid is a top talent if he falls to 28 you sprint to the podium with the card...

[Wonderful Monds]

With that said, if Bijon Robinson was sitting there at their draft pick, I'd think hard about drafting him. I feel like he could give you what Mixon provided early on in his career.

I know many would complain about drafting a RB in round 1, and I get it, but dude feels like a special talent, even if its a position of reduced importance, it is a position that can still be a huge difference maker.

I agree, anything that makes the offense more predictable and versatile only makes Burrow that much harder to beat. That’s why I haven’t been buying into all this “cheap out on the running back” talk recently.

[Ohayou]

I feel like a RB that early is a luxury pick. Clyde Edwards-Helaire when he was taken the Chiefs had just won the Super Bowl and really didn’t have any weaknesses at the time. Now he’s been supplanted by a 7th round pick.

This team has some opportunities (CB, O-line, S, pass rush, interior d-line) that makes taking Bijon Robinson a mistake. Not that it matters because Buffalo, Detroit, and even Dallas will likely be possibilities for him before the Bengals pick.

I'd say Robinson is a lot closer to Najee Harris (who Pittsburgh's entire offense runs through) than Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was a surprise 1st round pick. If Mixon is indeed cut, and we go that route in the 1st, I wouldn't call that a luxury pick. It's a priority at that point.

With that said, Robinson is the only RB I'd use a 1st on, and probably has the highest floor of any prospect in this year's draft.

[bucksfan2]

I'd say Robinson is a lot closer to Najee Harris (who Pittsburgh's entire offense runs through) than Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was a surprise 1st round pick. If Mixon is indeed cut, and we go that route in the 1st, I wouldn't call that a luxury pick. It's a priority at that point.

With that said, Robinson is the only RB I'd use a 1st on, and probably has the highest floor of any prospect in this year's draft.

Najee was a terrible pick at the time, and still is a terrible pick. I think you only draft a RB in the 1st if he is a game changing talent and you are pretty solid elsewhere. Its a luxury position, one in which there are many in the draft who can play, but a few that separate themselves. Never thought Najee was that, and he went to a team that had holes elsewhere. It was like hey lets draft a RB when our OLine is a mess we need a QB, our WR's aren't great.

Edwards-Helaire was an interesting pick. IMO he was overdrafted, but he seemed to be that type of player who could run the ball, catch it out of the backfield, and be pretty much an all purpose back. I think the idea of CEH was good, the player just wasn't.

FWIW I think Robinson could have the Zeke effect. A top 5 back in the league, difference maker. Now Zeke was running behind a great OLine but didn't have the QB the quality of Burrow.

[WVRed]

I'd say Robinson is a lot closer to Najee Harris (who Pittsburgh's entire offense runs through) than Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was a surprise 1st round pick. If Mixon is indeed cut, and we go that route in the 1st, I wouldn't call that a luxury pick. It's a priority at that point.

With that said, Robinson is the only RB I'd use a 1st on, and probably has the highest floor of any prospect in this year's draft.

I wasn’t comparing Robinson to CEH as a player but rather the circumstance of the pick. When the Chiefs took him they didn’t have any major needs at the time because they were riding out Mahomes rookie deal and had an extremely stacked roster.

In terms of player comps I’d say LeVeon Bell or even a younger Joe Mixon but Harris fits that mold as well. Just remember a player of Robinson’s caliber will make it more unpredictable but also takes touches and opportunities away from Jamarr Chase and Tee Higgins.

[WVRed]

Najee was a terrible pick at the time, and still is a terrible pick. I think you only draft a RB in the 1st if he is a game changing talent and you are pretty solid elsewhere. Its a luxury position, one in which there are many in the draft who can play, but a few that separate themselves. Never thought Najee was that, and he went to a team that had holes elsewhere. It was like hey lets draft a RB when our OLine is a mess we need a QB, our WR's aren't great.

Edwards-Helaire was an interesting pick. IMO he was overdrafted, but he seemed to be that type of player who could run the ball, catch it out of the backfield, and be pretty much an all purpose back. I think the idea of CEH was good, the player just wasn't.

FWIW I think Robinson could have the Zeke effect. A top 5 back in the league, difference maker. Now Zeke was running behind a great OLine but didn't have the QB the quality of Burrow.

I’m far from a Steelers fan but I can’t blame them for taking Najee Harris.

At the time their line was solid and they were trying to maximize Roethlisbergers time before he retired. Big Ben should have retired a year earlier and unlike the Bengals the Steelers do everything through the run game. Im a UK fan in football and hated that Benny Snell Jr went there but he needed to be replaced as the primary back.

[Ohayou]

Najee was a terrible pick at the time, and still is a terrible pick. I think you only draft a RB in the 1st if he is a game changing talent and you are pretty solid elsewhere. Its a luxury position, one in which there are many in the draft who can play, but a few that separate themselves. Never thought Najee was that, and he went to a team that had holes elsewhere. It was like hey lets draft a RB when our OLine is a mess we need a QB, our WR's aren't great.

Edwards-Helaire was an interesting pick. IMO he was overdrafted, but he seemed to be that type of player who could run the ball, catch it out of the backfield, and be pretty much an all purpose back. I think the idea of CEH was good, the player just wasn't.

FWIW I think Robinson could have the Zeke effect. A top 5 back in the league, difference maker. Now Zeke was running behind a great OLine but didn't have the QB the quality of Burrow.

Nobody in Pittsburgh thinks that now. They love Najee. Also, everybody and their grandma knew they were drafting him that year. They pretty much called dibs. If you remember, they only had Benny Snell and 2021 was also one of the deepest drafts for OL talent in years.

I like Robinson a lot, but I wouldn't call him leaps and bounds better. Najee was one of the most hyped HS RB recruits ever and broke just about every record at Alabama. Can't blame Pittsburgh one bit for drafting him.

[Redhook]

Not the best look for the Bengals…..https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bengals-jaguars-players-report-in-new-survey-that-wives-nursed-babies-on-public-bathroom-floors-because-their-stadiums-lack-private-area-for-families/ar-AA18bZ4i?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=a815338e77cc4474a4485023ecf04647&ei=40

[Kingspoint]

Just in case anyone was wondering, Billy Price finished 35th out of 36 qualifying Centers with a PFF Rating of 51.3.

[Kingspoint]

Evans and Williams were both drafted late by the Bengals and that might be the issue waiting til Rd 6 or 7 to get one...

Don't draft just one. Draft two or three. They generally make good return specialists and special teams tacklers.

[Kingspoint]

Not the best look for the Bengals…..https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/bengals-jaguars-players-report-in-new-survey-that-wives-nursed-babies-on-public-bathroom-floors-because-their-stadiums-lack-private-area-for-families/ar-AA18bZ4i?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=a815338e77cc4474a4485023ecf04647&ei=40

I'm not buying that crap. That's BS.

They could nurse their children publicly with protective clothing just like everyone else. They don't need a special room just for them. Feeling a bit entitled, methinks.

- - - Updated - - -

“To me it’s important to get every good player back that contributed to our success,” Tobin said (via the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway) when asked if the Bengals could retain both Bell and Bates. “Is it realistic? Probably not, but is it important? Yes. We aren’t going to freeze out options with any of them. It will be dependent on other deals we are able to get done as the offseason goes on and what the market is for those guys.

“Can everybody fit in at the top value that they want? No. Maybe some guys don’t get that value and want to come back, we’ll see.” “We want them back,” director of player personnel Tobin said (via The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.) of the aforementioned trio. “It’ll be dependent on how much they’re offered from other teams, if they’re offered from other teams, and how much we have in the resources to bring them back.”

[Redhook]

Just in case anyone was wondering, Billy Price finished 35th out of 36 qualifying Centers with a PFF Rating of 51.3.

Was he injured when they drafted him? If I recall correctly, he had a pec injury that held him back initially (Obueghi, Ross, Price….yikes with the injuries).

Regarding Price, what happened? Was he evaluated that poorly, poor coaching or a combination? It sounds like Price was misevaluated by a landslide somehow.

Also, it stinks that Ragnow was picked one pick ahead of him. In hindsight, the Bengals panicked a bit and drafted more in a need which is almost never the best route to go.

[Redhook]

I'm not buying that crap. That's BS.

They could nurse their children publicly with protective clothing just like everyone else. They don't need a special room just for them. Feeling a bit entitled, methinks.

Yeah, the headline was obviously clickbait, but I read a very similar article before they added the nursing part. The Bengals are still cheap in quite a few ways which isn’t terribly surprising or extremely important, but an area where they could improve. They received an F regarding treatment of families and an F- regarding nutrition. Improving those things would take very little effort and wouldn’t cost much at all in the grand scheme of things.

[Kingspoint]

Yeah, the headline was obviously clickbait, but I read a very similar article before they added the nursing part. The Bengals are still cheap in quite a few ways which isn’t terribly surprising or extremely important, but an area where they could improve. They received an F regarding treatment of families and an F- regarding nutrition. Improving those things would take very little effort and wouldn’t cost much at all in the grand scheme of things.

Haven't they done an about-face in that department the last few years? Their new indoor practice facility for starters? At least they don't have the medical staff issues of the Cleveland Browns, I guess. Can't fix everything all at once.

[Redhook]

Haven't they done an about-face in that department the last few years? Their new indoor practice facility for starters? At least they don't have the medical staff issues of the Cleveland Browns, I guess. Can't fix everything all at once.

The grades given were from the players. Yes, they’ve improved 1000%, but it appears some simple fixes would go a long way.

[KoryMac5]

Maybe Mike Brown can hit up Cast for a box of bananas

[Redhook]

Maybe Mike Brown can hit up Cast for a box of bananas

:laugh:

[WVRed]

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/3/6/23625310/bengals-ucla-rb-zach-charbonnet-nfl-draft-visits-2023

Haven’t seen him mocked as a first rounder but would be a mistake if they looked at him that high.

[Kingspoint]

Another LB just became an option for the Bengals. MIN will release Eric Kendricks as he represents an $11M cap hit for them this season on the final year of a restructured contract.

Bengals have said they will be looking at Veterans on 1-year contracts under the duration of the Burrow/Chase/Higgins era. Bobby Wagner and Eric Kendricks are both excellent options.

[WVRed]

Another LB just became an option for the Bengals. MIN will release Eric Kendricks as he represents an $11M cap hit for them this season on the final year of a restructured contract.

Bengals have said they will be looking at Veterans on 1-year contracts under the duration of the Burrow/Chase/Higgins era. Bobby Wagner and Eric Kendricks are both excellent options.

Frank Clark is going to be released by the Chiefs. Could be a pass rush option.

[WVRed]

Here’s a list of everyone the Bengals met with at the combine:

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2023/3/6/23626782/bengals-draft-2023-nfl-combine-players

Cam Peoples, RB, Appalachian St (report)
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (report)
Tavion Thomas, RB, Utah (report)
Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA (report)
Antoine Green, WR, North Carolina (report)
Parker Washington, WR, Penn State (report)
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah (report)
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia (report)
Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati (report)
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame (report)
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa (report)
Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee (report)
Richard Gouraige, OL, Florida (report)
Nolan Smith DE, Georgia (report)
Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson (report)
Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida (report)
Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati (report)
Clark Phillips, CB, Utah (report)
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State (report)
Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse (report)
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (report)

[Kingspoint]

Walter Football's Combine meeting list...

Cincinnati Bengals
Julius Brents, Cornerback, Kansas State (COM)
Bryan Bresee, Defensive Tackle, Clemson (COM)
Gervon Dexter, Defensive Tackle, Florida (COM)
Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback, Mississippi State (COM)
Dalton Kincaid, Tight End, Utah (COM)
Michael Mayer, Tight End, Notre Dame (COM)
Ivan Pace, 3-4 Outside Linebacker, Cincinnati (COM)
Clark Phillips III, Cornerback, Utah (COM)
Kelee Ringo, Cornerback, Georgia (COM)
Nolan Smith, Outside Linebacker, Georgia (COM)

[The Operator]

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/police-surround-home-of-bengals-running-back-joe-mixon-after-report-of-shots-fired/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab


Police surround Joe Mixon’s house after reports of shots fired inside.


No injuries apparently, but this is bad. Has a very Aroldis Chapman feel to it.

[Bob Sheed]

Not to worry. Nothing bad happened here. Somebody probably just called Mixon a name that hurt his feelwings and he just needed to let them know.

Perfectly acceptable behavior in 2023. Not sure what the big deal is... :dunno:

[WrongVerb]

Not to worry. Nothing bad happened here. Somebody probably just called Mixon a name that hurt his feelwings and he just needed to let them know.

Perfectly acceptable behavior in 2023. Not sure what the big deal is... :dunno:

It's subtle, but this comment belongs in the P&R section.

[Redhook]

Man, this is an odd story. A juvenile was injured at Mixon’s house, most likely by a gunshot, and taken to a hospital. Mixon’s sister said Joe wasn’t involved. This is the second situation involving a gun and Mixon in less than 2 months. Not a good trend.

[Tony Cloninger]

Goodbye!


19272

[Redsfaithful]

Making the decision easier for the Bengals.

RB is one of the reasons I'm optimistic about the Bengals handling Burrow's contract going forward. They've had this success paying a RB more than most winning teams pay their RBs, they have room to dial that back and move forward exclusively with cheap RBs on their first contracts.

[Sea Ray]

It's subtle, but this comment belongs in the P&R section.

:thumbdown:

[Wonderful Monds]

Not to worry. Nothing bad happened here. Somebody probably just called Mixon a name that hurt his feelwings and he just needed to let them know.

Perfectly acceptable behavior in 2023. Not sure what the big deal is... :dunno:


https://youtu.be/iBAEt06J2Ho

[Wonderful Monds]

:thumbdown:

There’s literally zero (0) indication that there was any racial slurs or anything else involved here whatsoever at all, absolutely no evidence at all. And yet Bob here decides to just schizo post and use this story as a platform to belligerently fling his poop on whatever clown-ass grievance political tangent he’s on (despite the fact that it is completely and totally irrelevant to the story at this point.) And of course you’re twisted up defending that too.

God this place is so exhausting sometimes lmao.

[WrongVerb]

PFF
@PFF

Jets team officials are flying to Green Bay today to meet with Aaron Rodgers in person, per @DanGrazianoESPN
2:12pm · 7 Mar 2023

[Sea Ray]

There’s literally zero (0) indication that there was any racial slurs or anything else involved here whatsoever at all, absolutely no evidence at all. And yet Bob here decides to just schizo post and use this story as a platform to belligerently fling his poop on whatever clown-ass grievance political tangent he’s on (despite the fact that it is completely and totally irrelevant to the story at this point.) And of course you’re twisted up defending that too.

God this place is so exhausting sometimes lmao.

:thumbdown:

- - - Updated - - -


Goodbye!


19272

:thumbup:

[Wonderful Monds]

:thumbdown:

- - - Updated - - -



:thumbup:

I’m right and you have absolutely no way to dispute anything that I said, and quote replying this with another :thumbdown: (or similar dumb meme or emoji) is only gonna confirm further that I’m right lol

Damn it rules to be correct :cool:

[Hillsdale87]

I'm not buying that crap. That's BS.

They could nurse their children publicly with protective clothing just like everyone else. They don't need a special room just for them. Feeling a bit entitled, methinks.

- - - Updated - - -


They could nurse their children in public like everyone else, or the Bengals could do everything that they can to make players and their families feel as valued as possible and want to stay in Cincinnati. It's not like it's cruel and unusual torture, but there are some simple things that the Bengals can incorporate to make the organization a more attractive destination, especially because they don't pay as much guaranteed as other teams.

[RiverRat13]

They could nurse their children in public like everyone else, or the Bengals could do everything that they can to make players and their families feel as valued as possible and want to stay in Cincinnati. It's not like it's cruel and unusual torture, but there are some simple things that the Bengals can incorporate to make the organization a more attractive destination, especially because they don't pay as much guaranteed as other teams.

Those types of things are much more important to people in their 20s than they were for older generations, too.

[Bob Sheed]

It's subtle, but this comment belongs in the P&R section.

I'm referencing Joe Mixon's past, not Joe Biden's past.

I think you belong in the P&R section. :lol:

Kind of reminds me of how I felt about Thom B. I'll be glad when he's gone. Really hard to root for that guy.

[Kingspoint]

They could nurse their children in public like everyone else, or the Bengals could do everything that they can to make players and their families feel as valued as possible and want to stay in Cincinnati. It's not like it's cruel and unusual torture, but there are some simple things that the Bengals can incorporate to make the organization a more attractive destination, especially because they don't pay as much guaranteed as other teams.

They've just added a $3M Training Room.

The wives are whining.

[Redsfaithful]

They've just added a $3M Training Room.

The wives are whining.

It's peanuts to an NFL franchise, all of it, if they don't fix all of these complaints they don't really deserve the success Joe Burrow is going to deliver to them.

[WrongVerb]

I'm referencing Joe Mixon's past, not Joe Biden's past.

I think you belong in the P&R section. :lol:

Kind of reminds me of how I felt about Thom B. I'll be glad when he's gone. Really hard to root for that guy.

You made a comment that I interpreted as being rooted in a stereotype, all without knowing anything of the events that actually happened. I still think none of us know if Mixon was even there, much less exactly what went down.

[Bob Sheed]

You made a comment that I interpreted as being rooted in a stereotype, all without knowing anything of the events that actually happened. I still think none of us know if Mixon was even there, much less exactly what went down.

Oh? Which comment and which stereotype would that be? You're showing your true colors here more than anyone else.

Because I wasn't referencing any stereotype. I was referencing what Mixon himself has done.

So do tell... Which comment and which stereotype?

See, this is why I said you belong in the P&R forum. Because you're always looking for some kind of dog whistle, when none are there.

I would prefer Mixon is released, in favor of Periné being the starter, because Periné is a better blocker, is more consistent, and runs harder. I'll leave you to search that sentiment for hidden meaning as well. Keep us all posted on your findings, Inspector. :lol:

[membengal]

I want Mixon released. But that is for football reasons.

Has anyone indicated he was even there? His sister said he wasn’t.

[Sea Ray]

Oh? Which comment and which stereotype would that be? You're showing your true colors here more than anyone else.

Because I wasn't referencing any stereotype. I was referencing what Mixon himself has done.

So do tell... Which comment and which stereotype?

See, this is why I said you belong in the P&R forum. Because you're always looking for some kind of dog whistle, when none are there.

I would prefer Mixon is released, in favor of Periné being the starter, because Periné is a better blocker, is more consistent, and runs harder. I'll leave you to search that sentiment for hidden meaning as well. Keep us all posted on your findings, Inspector. :lol:

I never saw any stereotype or political about your post either which is why I put a like on it. Some people see ghosts around here

[WrongVerb]

Oh? Which comment and which stereotype would that be? You're showing your true colors here more than anyone else.

Because I wasn't referencing any stereotype. I was referencing what Mixon himself has done.

So do tell... Which comment and which stereotype?

See, this is why I said you belong in the P&R forum. Because you're always looking for some kind of dog whistle, when none are there.

I would prefer Mixon is released, in favor of Periné being the starter, because Periné is a better blocker, is more consistent, and runs harder. I'll leave you to search that sentiment for hidden meaning as well. Keep us all posted on your findings, Inspector. :lol:

Yes, given other statements from you, I think my interpretation is very much correct, and that you are dissembling. That's the last I'll have to say on the matter in this thread. If you want to discuss with me further, you know where to do that.

- - - Updated - - -


I never saw any stereotype or political about your post either which is why I put a like on it. Some people see ghosts around here

This has nothing to do with you so stick that big nose elsewhere.

[Sea Ray]

Yes, given other statements from you, I think my interpretation is very much correct, and that you are dissembling. That's the last I'll have to say on the matter in this thread. If you want to discuss with me further, you know where to do that.

- - - Updated - - -



This has nothing to do with you so stick that big nose elsewhere.

Once you decide to post publicly, it has to do with all of us. You brought it up and I'm free to opine whether I agree with you. If you don't wanna hear others' opinions then you should have taken it private or (and this would be my suggestion) not mentioned it at all. That would be a time to bite your tongue

[WrongVerb]

Once you decide to post publicly, it has to do with all of us. You brought it up and I'm free to opine whether I agree with you. If you don't wanna hear others' opinions then you should have taken it private or (and this would be my suggestion) not mentioned it at all. That would be a time to bite your tongue

You're cute when you're defensive, you know. ;)

[Boss-Hog]

I gave this some leeway, but it's time to get back on topic; if you want to continue the above, take it to PMs.

[KoryMac5]

This Mixon case is unreal:

Seems Mixon's trainer called 911 after hearing about 5 shots...


"There was a shooting next door to the house. There were some kids that were blocking off, three or four cars blocking off the road, and one kid was running around brandishing a weapon. He went back to his car and it looked like it was a it was a fake weapon. But then I kept watching, watching, watching. And then he was screaming something, and he went back to his car, and he pulled out another weapon."
-The caller said that weapon looked like a KelTec gun.
-The caller said he heard running and then gunfire
-More of his words: "One guy, he ran up the driveway -- that grassway in between our house, my athlete's house and the other neighbor's house -- and I heard them yelling, him yelling something while he was brandishing the weapon. And then you heard pop pop pop pop."
-The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office still hasn't said who fired the gun or if Mixon was home Monday night.
-According to dispatch reports, the teen was hit in his foot with a bullet fragment. Initial reports were he didn't want medical attention because his father is a doctor.

This is according to WLW...man this story is wild...

[Kingspoint]

It's peanuts to an NFL franchise, all of it, if they don't fix all of these complaints they don't really deserve the success Joe Burrow is going to deliver to them.

It's not peanuts. Teams don't look at operating costs in the same light as Player costs. Completely different set of expenses.

[WVRed]

Two new names:

Isaiah Foskey (DT-Notre Dame)
Tucker Kraft (TE-South Dakota State)

Kraft had a pretty good combine from what I’ve read.

[BuckeyeRed27]

This Mixon case is unreal:

Seems Mixon's trainer called 911 after hearing about 5 shots...



This is according to WLW...man this story is wild...

So this just happened to be Mixons neighbor, but he didn’t have any involvement other than his trainer called 911. Am I reading that right?

[Hillsdale87]

They've just added a $3M Training Room.

The wives are whining.

It does not matter if you think they're whining and it's ridiculous. It doesn't matter if 99% of people think it's ridiculous (I don't BTW - seems like a pretty simple, low cost request). All that matters is what the players and their wives think. And the Bengals should be doing everything in their power to get guys to want to come and stay in a small market.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KoryMac5]

So this just happened to be Mixons neighbor, but he didn’t have any involvement other than his trainer called 911. Am I reading that right?

So Mixon's neighbor was the first to comment on it...said kids were possibly playing with nerf guns and than they heard about 7 shots. Supposedly they were running in between the grass of the properties. Neighbor said they blocked off the road with cars.

911 call has since been released that Mixon's trainer made, he must live at the house...

Details on the call are here and what I posted above...https://www.wlwt.com/article/joe-mixon-shooting-911-call-anderson-township-attorneys/43252617#

No arrests have been made Mixon has hired 2 prominent defense attorneys since it went down.

[KoryMac5]

Mixons sister supposedly named a suspect along with one other…Joe Mixon will not be charged.

Also rumors on Twitter that the Bengals have asked him to restructure or be cut.

[Bob Sheed]

Perine is cheaper, a better blocker, less wear and tear, zero nonsense baggage, more consistent, and easier to root for.

I'll be glad when Mixon is no longer a Bengal, and I hope that is coming up shortly.

[Todd Gack]

Mixons sister supposedly named a suspect along with one other…Joe Mixon will not be charged.

Also rumors on Twitter that the Bengals have asked him to restructure or be cut.

I don't even want Joe back on a restructure. Time for new blood.

[Todd Gack]

Perine is cheaper, a better blocker, less wear and tear, zero nonsense baggage, more consistent, and easier to root for.

I'll be glad when Mixon is no longer a Bengal, and I hope that is coming up shortly.

Word.

[RedTeamGo!]

I don’t know anything about this story but Mixon has always been a scumbag

[Kingspoint]

Re-signed: LB Joe Bachie, CB Jalen Davis (two year extension).

[Kingspoint]

It does not matter if you think they're whining and it's ridiculous. It doesn't matter if 99% of people think it's ridiculous (I don't BTW - seems like a pretty simple, low cost request). All that matters is what the players and their wives think. And the Bengals should be doing everything in their power to get guys to want to come and stay in a small market.


It's not as simple as you think.

Texans Docked Fifth-Round Pick, Fined For Salary Cap Violation

March 9th, 2023 at 3:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Texans’ decision to give then-quarterback Deshaun Watson accommodations outside their team facility in 2020 has resulted in league discipline being handed down. The NFL announced on Thursday that Houston has been docked their fifth-round pick in this year’s draft and fined $175K for a salary cap violation. The Texans gave Watson $26,777 for membership at the Houstonian Hotel, because COVID-19 protocols prevented him from being allowed to workout at the team’s facility. That move, in the league’s eyes, constitutes player compensation which went unreported, and has thus been deemed a CBA violation.

“During the 2020 league year and while its facilities were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club absorbed $26,777 in costs for player benefits for the use of alternate athletic facilities, which it understands should have been charged instead to player salaries,” the Texans said in a statement. “The Club has fully cooperated with the League in its investigation of these matters and maintains that it had no intention to circumvent any salary cap rules or gain any sort of competitive advantage. While we disagree with the League’s ruling, we will accept the imposed discipline and move forward.”

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/03/texans-docked-fifth-round-pick-fined-for-salary-cap-violation

[Redsfaithful]

Perine is cheaper, a better blocker, less wear and tear, zero nonsense baggage, more consistent, and easier to root for.

I'll be glad when Mixon is no longer a Bengal, and I hope that is coming up shortly.

I don't think they should re-sign Perine either honestly. I wouldn't be upset if they did, but the running back room needs to be ultra cheap moving forward.

[Kingspoint]

BENGALS looking to make 3rd-year jumps:

Round 1 (No. 5 overall) - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Round 2 (46, from Patriots) - Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson

Round 3 (69) - Joseph Ossai, LB, Texas:

Round 4 (111) - Cameron Sample, DE, Tulane

Round 4 (122, from Cardinals through Texans and Patriots) - Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU

Round 4 (139, from Patriots, compensatory) - D'Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina

Round 5 (149) - Evan McPherson, K, Florida

Round 6 (190) - Trey Hill, C, Georgia

Round 6 (202, from Dolphins through Texans) - Chris Evans, RB, Michigan


BENGALS looking to make 2nd-year jumps:

Round 1: Dax Hill, safety, Michigan (pick No. 31)

Round 2:Cam Taylor-Britt, cornerback, Nebraska (pick No. 63)

Round 3: Zach Carter, defensive tackle, Florida (pick No. 95)

Round 4: Cordell Volson, guard, North Dakota State (pick No. 136)

Round 5:Tycen Anderson, safety, Toledo (pick No. 166)

Round 7:Jeffrey Gunter, edge, Coastal Carolina (pick No. 252)


BENGALS currently on the Practice Squad:


Nick Bowers
82 TE 6-4 260 26 2 Penn State

Jake Browning
6 QB 6-2 209 26 1 Washington

Owen Carney
90 OLB 6-3 275 24 R Illinois

Devin Cochran
76 OT 6-7 310 24 R Georgia Tech

Yusuf Corker
37 DB 6-0 197 24 R Kentucky

Domenique Davis
72 DT 6-2 326 27 1 UNC Pembroke

Nate Gilliam
66 G 6-5 300 25 1 Wake Forest

Tanner Hudson
87 TE 6-5 239 28 3 Southern Arkansas

Raymond Johnson III
69 DE 6-3 264 25 2 Georgia Southern

Keandre Jones
47 LB 6-3 220 25 2 Maryland

Kwamie Lassiter II
18 WR 5-11 185 25 R Kansas

Marvell Tell III
39 CB 6-2 198 26 2 USC

[Kingspoint]

Adomitis, who will be a second-year player in 2023, originally was a Bengals college free agent signee out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. He played in 15 regular-season games and three postseason games as a rookie, and had 146 long snaps without an unplayable delivery.

Just wanted to throw that out there as he was another they resigned.

[Kingspoint]

"We're heading into a phase of our roster building that is going to be more focused internally than externally," Tobin said in Indy. "It doesn't mean we won't be looking for opportunities externally, but we won't be trying to build our team from the external UFAs (unrestricted free agents)."

So, all of those players listed above are key pieces towards finding ways to improve the team as a whole. They will be looking there first.

[Kingspoint]

I don't think they should re-sign Perine either honestly. I wouldn't be upset if they did, but the running back room needs to be ultra cheap moving forward.

I don't see how Perine could cost more than $3M per season. Who would offer him more than that? I think that whoever signs him will get him for $1.5M-$2M per season.

[Kingspoint]

The #1 FA RB I'm interested in is Kareem Hunt.

[WVRed]

The #1 FA RB I'm interested in is Kareem Hunt.

I’d rather draft one (not Bijan Robinson).

Jahmyr Gibbs could be a possibility in the second round. I’ve been high on him for awhile as an Alvin Kamara type of back.

[KoryMac5]

The #1 FA RB I'm interested in is Kareem Hunt.

Not interested in replacing one abuser with another...Bengals have been scouting college RB's heavy...I think they go Perine and a rookie....

[Redhook]

Not interested in replacing one abuser with another...Bengals have been scouting college RB's heavy...I think they go Perine and a rookie....

Agree. And agree. Personally, I’d be surprised and disappointed if Perine wasn’t back. He’s inexpensive, experienced, a good blocker and very versatile. He’s the perfect veteran to pair with a rookie.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I’d rather draft one (not Bijan Robinson).

Jahmyr Gibbs could be a possibility in the second round. I’ve been high on him for awhile as an Alvin Kamara type of back.

Gibbs might be round 2. I like Miller from TCU and he’s probably a 4th rounder.

[WrongVerb]

Dianna Russini
@diannaESPN

The Philadelphia Eagles have allowed Darius Slay's agent Drew Rosenhaus to seek a trade, per sources. The Eagles are still hopeful to find a solution where Slay remains an Eagle.
10:06am · 10 Mar 2023

[RedTeamGo!]

Not interested in replacing one abuser with another...Bengals have been scouting college RB's heavy...I think they go Perine and a rookie....

Not that is excuses what he did, because it doesn’t, but Hunt isn’t an “abuser” to my knowledge. A drunk woman called him the n-word and he shoved her to the ground IIRC. I do not believe he has a history aside from that. Which, again, not a good act. Mixon put a girl in the hospital with a broken jaw after calling her friend a “f**” and has multiple stories of questionable behavior.

[KoryMac5]

Not that is excuses what he did, because it doesn’t, but Hunt isn’t an “abuser” to my knowledge. A drunk woman called him the n-word and he shoved her to the ground IIRC. I do not believe he has a history aside from that. Which, again, not a good act. Mixon put a girl in the hospital with a broken jaw after calling her friend a “f**” and has multiple stories of questionable behavior.

Abuser was poor choice of words...regardless they are not going to trade 1 assaultive player for another.

Might want to watch the video again...he shoves her multiple times, rushes her and pushes her down and kicks her...

https://www.tmz.com/watch/0-exjrtvg5/

[WVRed]

Not that is excuses what he did, because it doesn’t, but Hunt isn’t an “abuser” to my knowledge. A drunk woman called him the n-word and he shoved her to the ground IIRC. I do not believe he has a history aside from that. Which, again, not a good act. Mixon put a girl in the hospital with a broken jaw after calling her friend a “f**” and has multiple stories of questionable behavior.

Mixon had been a model citizen since that incident until this offseason.

Id prefer not signing Kareem Hunt not because of what happened but that I’d rather see them draft a RB. Perine is a solid complimentary piece but they can always add someone younger.

[RedTeamGo!]

If I were bengals I would draft a RB as well.

[Bob Sheed]

Mixon had been a model citizen since that incident until this offseason.

Id prefer not signing Kareem Hunt not because of what happened but that I’d rather see them draft a RB. Perine is a solid complimentary piece but they can always add someone younger.

Burrow, Perine, Chase, Boyd, Higgins, Hurst, etc... they all seem like cool dudes. Smart. Charismatic.

Mixon just seems like a dip****. And the odd man out, compared to his teammates.

Again, I'll be glad when he is no longer a Bengal.

[WVRed]

Burrow, Perine, Chase, Boyd, Higgins, Hurst, etc... they all seem like cool dudes. Smart. Charismatic.

Mixon just seems like a dip****. And the odd man out, compared to his teammates.

Again, I'll be glad when he is no longer a Bengal.

It’s kinda like the saying about Eli Apple.

It’s ok to have one knucklehead. Just don’t add another so they have a friend.

[KoryMac5]

Burrow, Perine, Chase, Boyd, Higgins, Hurst, etc... they all seem like cool dudes. Smart. Charismatic.

Mixon just seems like a dip****. And the odd man out, compared to his teammates.

Again, I'll be glad when he is no longer a Bengal.

Mixon is very well liked in the locker room and was named a captain before the 2022 season...if his contract wasn't so high he would be a Bengal. There is 0 evidence that the org feels the same way as you aside from $$$.

[Redhook]

Mixon is very well liked in the locker room and was named a captain before the 2022 season...if his contract wasn't so high he would be a Bengal. There is 0 evidence that the org feels the same way as you aside from $$$.

Agree. Since his arrival with the Bengals, he has certainly exceeded expectations and it appeared, until recently, that he learned from his mistake and was becoming a model citizen. That said, the first gun incident this off-season is certainly alarming while the second one seems like a bizarre happenstance. IMO, they need to let him go and use that money more wisely. He’s past his prime, pricey and has had some off field issues.

[Kingspoint]

If I were bengals I would draft a RB as well.

I wouldn't before the 5th Rd.

[Kingspoint]

ProFootballRumor made a list of the Top-50 Free Agents, based not on the quality of the player, but on how costly the deal should be:

I won't even bother to post the Bates' one, since he's good as gone, ranking 6th overall on this list. After each player, three teams are listed as the best fits. The Bengals are not among the 78 teams mentioned for the Top-26 players, as far as fit. But, they are mentioned at #27.

27. Vonn Bell, S. Age in Week 1: 28

It took a three-year, $18MM deal for the Bengals to land the ex-Saint in 2020. After Bell became a key contributor during the best stretch in Bengals history, he should be a candidate to stay in Cincinnati as a cheaper alternative to giving Jessie Bates a near-top-shelf pact – something the franchise has effectively indicated it does not wish to do. Bell should be available on another midlevel contract, but prime years remaining will make the eighth-year defender a nice second-tier prize on the market.

Bengals DC Lou Anarumo did not want to entertain the notion of both Bates and Bell departing; that is a lot of snaps to lose for a Bengals team that has deployed one of the better safety duos during the 2020s. Cincy has Dax Hill presumably stepping into one of the first-string roles, but the AFC North champs would need to make other arrangements were Bell to follow Bates out the door.

Bell snared a career-high four INTs last season and has missed one game in the past three years. Further illustrating Bell’s dependability, PFF slotted the ex-second-rounder as a top-25 option at the position from 2020-21 and placed him 35th in ’22. His 12 tackles for loss since 2020 rank sixth among safeties. Bell will be targeting a raise from his $6MM-per-year agreement and should get it. Last year’s Marcus Maye–Jordan Whitehead deals checked in just south of $8MM per year; that can be considered a safe floor here. Even as the Bengals prepare for big payments on offense, that should not be viewed as out of their price range. They greenlit a $12.9MM Bates tag in 2022 and hold more than $34MM in cap space.

Best fits: Bengals, Packers, Eagles


So, of the currently projected Free Agents when the article was written (yesterday https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/03/2023-top-50-nfl-free-agents ), the Bengals are only listed once among the 150 times teams are named as fits for any of these players. Keep in mind that there are excellent players, better than many in the top-50, who will get far fewer dollars on a contract because of their age.

May as well post #46...

46. Germaine Pratt, LB. Age in Week 1: 27

This is a bet on upside, with Pratt showing significant contract-year growth. While it is possible the Bengals bring Vonn Bell back due to the prospect of losing both he and Jessie Bates at safety, Logan Wilson’s platform-year presence figures to lead Pratt out of town. There are many intriguing off-ball linebackers set to be available, some who have been more consistent than Pratt. How well will the former third-round pick be viewed in a buyer’s market?

Pratt played a career-high 724 defensive snaps last season, not missing any games due to injury, but he still came off the field frequently in sub-packages. Wilson serves as the Bengals’ every-down ‘backer, being the clear long-term priority in Lou Anarumo’s defense. Pratt still registered a career-best 99 tackles (six for loss), intercepted two passes and allowed only a 62.1 passer rating as the closest defender – down 40 points from 2021. PFF graded Pratt, who intercepted Derek Carr to close out the Bengals’ first playoff win in 31 years, as a top-three coverage linebacker in 2022. A team will bet on Pratt as an every-down ‘backer soon.

Best fits: Commanders, Chargers, Steelers

[WVRed]

I wouldn't before the 5th Rd.

Depends on who is available.

If Gibbs or Charbonnet are there in the second, yes.

I wouldn’t take Robinson in the 1st.

I’m not as bullish on Perine as most on this board. He’s serviceable but not a bellcow. That’s what we need.

[Kingspoint]

Depends on who is available.

If Gibbs or Charbonnet are there in the second, yes.

I wouldn’t take Robinson in the 1st.

I’m not as bullish on Perine as most on this board. He’s serviceable but not a bellcow. That’s what we need.

There is nobody worthy of drafting that high any more. It's no longer a position where you invest that type of asset (a 1st through 4th Rd pick). There are literally 100 options available after the 4th Rd that would have a chance at producing close to the production of anyone drafted higher, while they could all flop, those drafted in the higher rounds. It's just too risky of an injury position to waste a higher draft pick on it. It's a grueling position that wears any player out to the point that they become ineffective on their 2nd contract, so why waste anything higher than a 5th Round pick on a player who isn't likely to be effective on their 2nd contract, assuming they are effective on their 1st.

The biggest issue is pass-blocking for a young RB, but we wasted a high pick on Mixon, a player who never learned how to pass-block. We were forced to resign him instead of going after a replacement who could protect Burrow AND pass-catch, another thing Mixon couldn't do during his first contract.

Sign a guy like Perine, who should mix in with Evans, a 6th Rounder from two years ago, and another late round RB we grab this year (we should draft two and grab two in UDFA signings, along with our Practice Squad RB we have now, and they can all compete during camps to see who can help the team the best. Perine is reliable. Evans goes into his 3rd season, so he should be a much better blocker by now, while we can add all the speed we want with a player added this Spring, if that's what we're looking for. So many quality backs who ran for 2000+ yards in College will be available after the 4th Rd, and many will be able to pass-catch, some will have blazing speed, and there might be a few who can actually block.

[KoryMac5]

Bengals and Bills both have interest in Jamal Williams if he does not resign with Detroit...per twitter

[Redsfaithful]

Agree. And agree. Personally, I’d be surprised and disappointed if Perine wasn’t back. He’s inexpensive, experienced, a good blocker and very versatile. He’s the perfect veteran to pair with a rookie.

Goodberry on Perine:

https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/1634988611035893761


Samaje Perine's last contract was 2 years for $3.3M and I'm not sure he's worth any more than that this offseason.

We're open to saying "Mixon doesn't fit the offense anymore" but the truth is Samaje Perine doesn't fit it either.

Yes, pass protection is valuable, but the Bengals asked him to protect 66 times this last year and run routes 308 times.

You need a guy that can get open and create after the catch also.

I love Perine, guy is a huge part of several all-time Bengals moments, but I think it's time to rebuild the RB room. I believe they need guys who don't need perfect blocking to create because I don't think they're ever going to have a top tier run blocking o-line with Burrow. You'd rather pay for pass blocking than run blocking (which means a guy like Collins isn't really a great fit on the line anyway, even putting aside the injury.)

I don't think they'll do what I want though, I think Mixon will probably restructure and I think Perine will probably be back.

[WVRed]

Goodberry on Perine:

https://twitter.com/JoeGoodberry/status/1634988611035893761



I love Perine, guy is a huge part of several all-time Bengals moments, but I think it's time to rebuild the RB room. I believe they need guys who don't need perfect blocking to create because I don't think they're ever going to have a top tier run blocking o-line with Burrow. You'd rather pay for pass blocking than run blocking (which means a guy like Collins isn't really a great fit on the line anyway, even putting aside the injury.)

I don't think they'll do what I want though, I think Mixon will probably restructure and I think Perine will probably be back.

That they are looking hard and heavy at RBs at the combine tells me Mixon won’t be back.

Zach Charbonnet, Jahmyr Gibbs, Camerun Samples, and Tavion Thomas are names to get familiar with.

[Redhook]

I love Perine, guy is a huge part of several all-time Bengals moments, but I think it's time to rebuild the RB room. I believe they need guys who don't need perfect blocking to create because I don't think they're ever going to have a top tier run blocking o-line with Burrow. You'd rather pay for pass blocking than run blocking (which means a guy like Collins isn't really a great fit on the line anyway, even putting aside the injury.)

I don't think they'll do what I want though, I think Mixon will probably restructure and I think Perine will probably be back.

I don't disagree with anything you said. If Perine comes back, I don't expect him to be the bell cow, but I do think he's pretty valuable at a relatively low cost. Personally, I'd rather have Perine at his price than Mixon at any restructured price. Now, with that being said, if they upgrade from Mixon and Perine I won't be disappointed.

[WVRed]

There is nobody worthy of drafting that high any more. It's no longer a position where you invest that type of asset (a 1st through 4th Rd pick). There are literally 100 options available after the 4th Rd that would have a chance at producing close to the production of anyone drafted higher, while they could all flop, those drafted in the higher rounds. It's just too risky of an injury position to waste a higher draft pick on it. It's a grueling position that wears any player out to the point that they become ineffective on their 2nd contract, so why waste anything higher than a 5th Round pick on a player who isn't likely to be effective on their 2nd contract, assuming they are effective on their 1st.

The biggest issue is pass-blocking for a young RB, but we wasted a high pick on Mixon, a player who never learned how to pass-block. We were forced to resign him instead of going after a replacement who could protect Burrow AND pass-catch, another thing Mixon couldn't do during his first contract.

Sign a guy like Perine, who should mix in with Evans, a 6th Rounder from two years ago, and another late round RB we grab this year (we should draft two and grab two in UDFA signings, along with our Practice Squad RB we have now, and they can all compete during camps to see who can help the team the best. Perine is reliable. Evans goes into his 3rd season, so he should be a much better blocker by now, while we can add all the speed we want with a player added this Spring, if that's what we're looking for. So many quality backs who ran for 2000+ yards in College will be available after the 4th Rd, and many will be able to pass-catch, some will have blazing speed, and there might be a few who can actually block.

Because as you said there’s three qualities to RBs:

Pass catching
Speed (or trucking or general elusiveness)
Blocking

You can draft a RB in the 5th or an undrafted RB who can maybe do one of what you listed or take one higher who could possibly do all three. Sometimes it’s worth taking one early.

[Kingspoint]

Because as you said there’s three qualities to RBs:

Pass catching
Speed (or trucking or general elusiveness)
Blocking

You can draft a RB in the 5th or an undrafted RB who can maybe do one of what you listed or take one higher who could possibly do all three. Sometimes it’s worth taking one early.

None of them can block coming into the league. It takes more than a year to learn how to do it for those who do learn it. It's about the same blocking time-line as a TE...two-plus years.

Small College program RB's never get drafted high, yet are often as good. Not a season goes by where a multiple UDFA's and RB's drafted in the 6th or 7th Rds do as well as RB's drafted in the first two rounds. You just have to find them and give them the same opportunities that are given higher draft picks (who more often fail than succeed).

[WVRed]

None of them can block coming into the league. It takes more than a year to learn how to do it for those who do learn it. It's about the same blocking time-line as a TE...two-plus years.

Small College program RB's never get drafted high, yet are often as good. Not a season goes by where a multiple UDFA's and RB's drafted in the 6th or 7th Rds do as well as RB's drafted in the first two rounds. You just have to find them and give them the same opportunities that are given higher draft picks (who more often fail than succeed).

Or have a scheme or offensive line that allows them to be successful (Andy Reid).

Do you think Isaiah Pacheco would have been successful in Cincinnati running behind what Mixon ran behind this year?

[Kingspoint]

Following an incredible breakout season in Detroit, there is reportedly mutual interest between the Lions and Jamaal Williams in signing a new contract, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. The statement comes from Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes who discovered the interest during preliminary discussions with unrestricted free agents. Williams led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns last season while also recording career-highs in touches (274) and total yardage (1,139).

Meanwhile, the Bengals’ reported interest is notable in light of recent reports suggesting that Joe Mixon‘s days in Cincinnati could be numbered. Mixon has not been particularly impressive from a YPC standpoint since 2018, and the team could save over $7MM by releasing him. However, with the Bengals eyeing another deep postseason run in 2023, it is perhaps more likely that Williams would take over Samaje Perine‘s role as Mixon’s running mate should Cincinnati go that route.

Spotrac estimates that Williams can command a two-year contract worth a little over $4MM per year. If you can get a guy like this for $4M per season, why waste a 1st through 4th round pick on a player who may never be as good as Williams is right now?

[WVRed]

Following an incredible breakout season in Detroit, there is reportedly mutual interest between the Lions and Jamaal Williams in signing a new contract, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. The statement comes from Lions executive vice president and general manager Brad Holmes who discovered the interest during preliminary discussions with unrestricted free agents. Williams led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns last season while also recording career-highs in touches (274) and total yardage (1,139).

Meanwhile, the Bengals’ reported interest is notable in light of recent reports suggesting that Joe Mixon‘s days in Cincinnati could be numbered. Mixon has not been particularly impressive from a YPC standpoint since 2018, and the team could save over $7MM by releasing him. However, with the Bengals eyeing another deep postseason run in 2023, it is perhaps more likely that Williams would take over Samaje Perine‘s role as Mixon’s running mate should Cincinnati go that route.

Spotrac estimates that Williams can command a two-year contract worth a little over $4MM per year. If you can get a guy like this for $4M per season, why waste a 1st through 4th round pick on a player who may never be as good as Williams is right now?

So we sign someone a year older than Mixon who is likely looking to cash in following breaking a record held by Barry Sanders?

I’d rather draft a replacement and let Buffalo sign him.

[bucksfan2]

Its funny how Perine went from a guy who couldn't pick up one yard in the Super Bowl one year to a guy everyone desperately wants back the next.

I do think he is a good roll player, one who adds value to the team. But I also think your 2nd RB should be someone you can replace fairly easily in the draft or as an UDFA. You would hope that in drafting your 3rd down back, you would save money as opposed to signing a guy to his second NFL contract.

FWIW I think Perine will be back because the backfield is somewhat in flux. I don't think you want to go into camp without your #1 or #2 back.

[UKFlounder]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter:

The #Bengals are re-signing LB Germaine Pratt to a three-year, $21 million deal, per source. He gets $10.35M in Year 1 and $15.15M over two years. He’s started 54 career games and now stays in Cincinnati.

[WrongVerb]

From Tom Pelissero on Twitter:

The #Bengals are re-signing LB Germaine Pratt to a three-year, $21 million deal, per source. He gets $10.35M in Year 1 and $15.15M over two years. He’s started 54 career games and now stays in Cincinnati.

That was unexpected. Nice, but unexpected.

[WVRed]

That was unexpected. Nice, but unexpected.

It’s nice when it’s unexpected but a positive. Not when it’s unexpected like Bobby Hart.

[KoryMac5]

Good luck for the Bengals that there were a ton of LB's on the market...3 yrs 21 for Pratt is a wicked good deal.

[Reds Freak]

But they lose Vonn Bell to the Panthers. A little thin at safety at the moment.

[RiverRat13]

But they lose Vonn Bell to the Panthers. A little thin at safety at the moment.

I wanted Bell back but the Bengals rarely give out third contracts. With Dax starting as a rookie, it would be nice if they signed a safety who is in between the Bell/Bates pay tiers.

[KoryMac5]

Deep safety market though Bengals could pivot to Poyer or Thornhill...

Sounds like Bell got similar $$$ to what Pratt got...sad to see him go he was a hammer on D and a very smart player.

[UKFlounder]

Bates to the Falcons 4years $64 million

[Reds Freak]

Bates to the Falcons 4years $64 million

Wow, good for Jesse. I think the Bengals were right to let that one go.

[Ohayou]

Yeah, he was out having dinner his new teammates a few weeks ago. Tough loss, but that's a lot of dinero. Dax Hill, be ready.

Poyer would be nice, but it sounds like he may sign with Miami.

[Fil3232]

I’ve never heard this anywhere but I think Cam Taylor-Britt could eventually slide to a safety spot. Physical and a ball hawk. Wouldn’t hate it if Bengals go corner in Rd1

[WVRed]

I’ve never heard this anywhere but I think Cam Taylor-Britt could eventually slide to a safety spot. Physical and a ball hawk. Wouldn’t hate it if Bengals go corner in Rd1

They need a CB but not because of moving CTB to safety.

Losing Bell hurts. It’s this years CJ Uzomah. Kinda wish they would have paid Bell that money and let Pratt walk. Hope he and Ossai made up.

[WVRed]

Apparently Mike Hilton and Zack Carter are trying to push for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

[Wonderful Monds]

I think they desperately need to sign a safety and can’t afford to use a first round pick on the secondary again given their other more pressing needs right now

[Reds Freak]

They need a CB but not because of moving CTB to safety.

Losing Bell hurts. It’s this years CJ Uzomah. Kinda wish they would have paid Bell that money and let Pratt walk. Hope he and Ossai made up.

Evidently, Pratt addressed the team the next day and admitted he was being a bad teammate there.

[KoryMac5]

Bell's deal was 3 years 22.5 with the Panthers...

Bengals probably offered both the same deal and Pratt took it first...

I like Bell but I think they can get faster on the backend...Bell was good in the box but a bit of a liability in coverage.

[Redhook]

Evidently, Pratt addressed the team the next day and admitted he was being a bad teammate there.

Good to hear. While he clearly shouldn’t have said that, I understand it right after the battle they had and after their season ending like it did. He was fired up and rightfully so. It’s also nice to have passionate players who really want to win. It sounds like Pratt, Ossai and their teammates worked it out which will make them stronger next season.

I’m surprised he’s back, but I’m definitely happy about it because the Bengals have been terrible guarding TE’s for decades and he’s one of the few that has had some success in that department.

[Redhook]

I think they desperately need to sign a safety and can’t afford to use a first round pick on the secondary again given their other more pressing needs right now

I agree. I really hope they sign a safety, CB and RT so they can draft the BPA in the draft. They’re in a great spot, but you don’t want to force a pick nor do I want them drafting the same position back to back years in the first round, especially a safety.

[Kingspoint]

So we sign someone a year older than Mixon who is likely looking to cash in following breaking a record held by Barry Sanders?

I’d rather draft a replacement and let Buffalo sign him.

You missed the part about $4.4M per season. Mixon has a $12M contract.

[Kingspoint]

Bell was exceptional at coverage last season. The Bengals' Achille's Heal on Defense has always been defending opposing TE's and RB's out of the backfield. Having Pratt available to do that for the next few years is a huge get for Defense....and someone who has proven to do it in the current system. We have brought in great LB's at coverage in the past from other systems only to have them flop on their face in Cincinnati. Keeping Pratt alongside Wilson is a great signing. And, it's not like it's a gaurantee that we get to resign Wilson after next season, so signing Pratt is also insurance against that not happening. Having a coverage Linebacker puts less pressure on the Strong Safety's responsibilities and the Free Safety's.

- - - Updated - - -

1. S JESSIE BATES III (Agreed with Falcons)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

It appears far more likely Bates will reach unrestricted free agency this time around after Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on him last offseason and never made a serious multi-year offer.

His 76.8 PFF grade this season ranked 13th at the position, and his 84.8 run-defense grade was a top-five mark. This year marked Bates' fifth 1,000-plus-snap season in as many years as an NFL player, pairing his above-average skill set with remarkable reliability. He ranks behind only Kevin Byard in regular-season snaps played among safeties since 2018.

2. S JORDAN POYER
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Poyer was seeking an extension before the 2022 season, and his performance this year goes a long way in proving why he was worthy of a new deal, but various injuries have also illustrated perhaps why Buffalo was wary of committing to the 31-year-old beyond 2022. That said, Poyer logged 950-plus snaps in every season from 2017-21, so his toughness and willingness to play through ailments cannot be questioned.

The 2022 campaign marked Poyer's fourth consecutive regular season earning coverage grades and overall grades above 70.0, with a lot of turnover in the Bills' secondary throughout the season, most notably with his safety partner Micah Hyde lost for the year. Poyer’s 92.1 coverage grade since 2020 is the best among safeties. He still has good football left to be played.

3. S C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

The Eagles traded for Gardner-Johnson this past offseason after he couldn’t come to terms with the New Orleans Saints on a contract extension, and it was somewhat surprising the aggressive Eagles didn’t extend him right then and there. Nevertheless, Gardner-Johnson got off to a strong start, and his six interceptions tied for the most in the NFL. An injury knocked him out for five weeks toward the end of the regular season, but he returned for Week 18 and the playoffs.

The former Saints slot cornerback’s versatility was on full display in Week 18 against the New York Giants fresh off injured reserve, logging a few key snaps in the slot with Avonte Maddox out with an injury and allowing just two receptions for five yards to go along with two defensive stops. The interesting thing with his market will be where his next team — if he doesn’t stay in Philadelphia — projects him in the lineup, with safeties earning a lot more on average than slot cornerbacks.

4. S VONN BELL (Agreed with Panthers)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Bell has been a somewhat under-the-radar field general on the back end who serves as a glue guy for his defense in his career, and 2022 was no different as Bengals cornerbacks went down with injuries all year long. A stout run defender, Bell boasts an 88.7 run-defense grade over the past five seasons that ranks eighth best among safeties. He did record the highest rate of missed tackles in his career in 2022 (14.8%), but his track record speaks for itself.

Bell can hold his own in coverage, as well, earning his second consecutive coverage grade above 65.0. He’s a very solid all-around player who would be a nice fit with any team.

5. S JIMMIE WARD (Agreed w/ Texans)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Ward was forced to switch positions from safety to slot cornerback this past season, a decision he apparently expressed displeasure about to head coach Kyle Shanahan, but he quickly acclimated and put together a very strong stretch of play over the second half of the year.

From Week 8 through the end of the season, Ward’s 78.0 coverage grade in the slot ranked 11th. He’s also earned back-to-back 90.0-plus run-defense grades as one of the better tacklers among defensive backs. Ward will likely look to return to playing safety, but his ability to cover in the slot is an added bonus, and he appears to still have some juice left in the tank wherever he lines up.

6. S JULIAN LOVE
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Love offers a diverse skill set as a defensive back who can serve as a ball hawk in the deep third and make plays down in the box. He was also a player the New York Giants trusted in the slot. He played by far the most snaps in his career in 2022 (1,006) and earned a career-high 71.5 coverage grade in the process.

Love is a good tackler in space, with his 80 tackles in 2022 the seventh most among safeties and his six missed tackles the second fewest among safeties in the top 25 in total tackles.

7. S TAYLOR RAPP
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Rapp was solid if unspectacular over his rookie contract after the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round in 2019, and he earned career-high grades against the run (82.3) and in coverage (72.9) in 2022. Los Angeles was comfortable lining him up all over, and he’s one of those players who performs OK in various alignments but is not particularly great at any one thing.

One thing that has been consistent: Rapp is a sure tackler, never missing more than 8.7% of potential tackles in a season. His 148 tackles over the past two seasons rank ninth among safeties.

8. S JUAN THORNHILL
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Thornhill has been up and down over the start of his career, prone to the occasional missed tackle and coverage lapse. But to his credit, he has been to the Super Bowl three times in four seasons. From Week 16 through the Super Bowl, Thornhill’s 90.3 grade was the top mark among safeties.

Thornhill has played at least 850 snaps in each of his first four seasons and offers a high floor of play on the back end.

9. S DONOVAN WILSON
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Wilson is a physical, downhill safety who packs a serious punch once he gets a full head of steam, delivering a few crushing blows this season with his 6-foot, 204-pound frame. In 2022, Wilson became a full-time starter and logged a career-high 959 snaps, earning a 72.9 run-defense grade and racking up 77 tackles, which tied for ninth among safeties.

Wilson can sometimes over-pursue and miss a tackle, but a prospective team will take that along with his tenacious desire to drop the hammer. He also contributed 13 quarterback pressures and five sacks on just 33 pass-rush snaps, displaying an innate ability to seemingly get shot out of a cannon on the occasional blitz.

Last but certainly not least, while more of a box defender, Wilson isn’t a liability in coverage when lined up deep, earning three straight grades above 64.0 in coverage.

10. S ADRIAN AMOS
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Amos had long been one of the most consistent, reliable safeties across the NFL, allowing an explosive reception on just 1% of coverage snaps over five seasons from 2017-21 and forcing an incompletion on 17.3% of targets into his coverage over the span, which ranked tied for 21st. He took a step back in 2022, earning a 54.2 grade — a career-low mark by more than 15 grading points.

That said, betting on a bounce-back 2023 campaign for a versatile defensive back who has logged roughly 1,000 snaps in five straight seasons could be worthwhile. While Amos may not have the highest ceiling, before 2022 his floor was very, very high.

11. S RODNEY MCLEOD
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

The 11-year veteran is coming off a career year in 2022, logging more than 1,000 snaps and earning career-high overall (80.1) and coverage (85.3) grades at 32 years old.

McLeod primarily used to line up in the deep third, but he logged a career-high 527 snaps down in the box and was so effective that he played instead of the young recent draft picks who were initially given starting jobs and expected to take over long term.

12. S MARCUS EPPS (Agreed w/ Raiders)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Epps became a full-time starter in 2022 and logged a career-high 1,095 regular season snaps, earning his second consecutive run-defense grade above 80.0, with his 84.4 mark in 2022 eighth among safeties. Epps' 77 tackles in 2022 were tied for 11th-most at the position, and his run-defense grade of 90.2 over the last two seasons ranks third at the position. Coverage is a bit of a different story.

While Epps and C.J. Gardner-Johnson were successful in 2022 because of their ability to line up in single- or two-high alignments — with more disguising of coverages from pre-snap to post-snap this season — Epps earned a career-low 44.7 coverage grade. He can use his size to match up with tight ends as a curl/flat defender in the box but is not as confident in the deep third, where he's prone to the occasional blown coverage.

13. S NICK SCOTT
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

14. S DURON HARMON
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Harmon played on his third team in three seasons in 2022, reuniting with Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler on the Las Vegas Raiders to play more than 1,000 snaps and earn a 77.6 coverage grade, his best mark since 2017. Harmon's 67 tackles and 11 defensive stops were both career highs in his 10th NFL season, and he's shown the ability to almost never come off the field after the New England Patriots rotated him in and out more. He's a veteran leader who has always had a nose for the football, with multiple interceptions in six straight seasons.

15. S DESHON ELLIOTT
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Elliott has quietly earned PFF grades above 65.0 in each of the past three seasons, posting grades above 60.0 as a run defender and in coverage over those years, as well. He recorded a career-high 76 tackles and 20 defensive stops in 2022 to go along with a career-low 6.2% missed tackle rate.

He has displayed some solid versatility, logging over 100 snaps as the slot defender in 2022, his most in a season by a decent margin. He's a very solid player not generating much buzz, perhaps in part due to the poor Lions defense from this past season, but he could be a strong addition for not much cash.

16. S JOHN JOHNSON III
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

17. S TASHAUN GIPSON SR.
(*Re-signed with 49ers)

Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

18. S KAREEM JACKSON
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

19. S NASIR ADDERLEY
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

20. S MIKE EDWARDS
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

21. S TERRELL EDMUNDS
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

[WrongVerb]

Austin Ekeler, anyone? Would look great out of the backfield.

[Redhook]

Austin Ekeler, anyone? Would look great out of the backfield.

That wouldn’t suck. I wonder what it would take to get him. Is a 3rd round pick enough? Probably not. He only has one year left on his contract and he’s due a very cost-friendly $6.25 for how good he is.

[Kingspoint]

That wouldn’t suck. I wonder what it would take to get him. Is a 3rd round pick enough? Probably not. He only has one year left on his contract and he’s due a very cost-friendly $6.25 for how good he is.

Ekeler asked for a trade because the Chargers aren't paying him what he wants. I assume he wants to be the highest paid RB in the NFL. That's probably what it will cost, plus draft picks, so this isn't going to happen.

[Redhook]

Ekeler asked for a trade because the Chargers aren't paying him what he wants. I assume he wants to be the highest paid RB in the NFL. That's probably what it will cost, plus draft picks, so this isn't going to happen.

True. So, are you saying Ekeler has the power to approve or veto a trade based off a trade and restructured contract? Those are complicated and I’m not sure how they work.

[Kingspoint]

I know we have options in-house and I know we are seriously looking at Ohio State's Tackle for our 1st Rd pick, even if we have to move up to get him, but here's PFF's list of the Top Tackle's available in Free Agency.

1. OT ORLANDO BROWN JR.
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

After threatening to hold out for the 2022 season following a franchise-tag saga that didn’t culminate in a long-term deal, Brown turned a slow start into a strong second half protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. From Week 10 to the end of the regular season, Brown’s 88.7 pass-blocking grade ranked third best among left tackles.

He may not become one of the game’s true top tackles given his much-maligned athletic limitations, but he’s a very reliable blindside protector who has succeeded in two diametrically opposed offensive schemes.

2. OT MIKE MCGLINCHEY (agreed with DEN)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

McGlinchey hasn’t quite lived up to his top-10 pick billing coming out of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he is a quality starter at right tackle who has returned to form after suffering a torn quadriceps in 2021. He’s dealt with various minor injuries over the years but has done well to avoid missing much time overall.

McGlinchey is a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s wide-zone rushing attack, with his 85.4 run-blocking grade since he entered the league a top-10 mark among tackles. He still has room to grow as a pass protector but notably dropped his pressure percentage allowed from 6.1% over his first three seasons to 5.1% over the past two.

3. OT JAWAAN TAYLOR (agreed with Chiefs and will be moved to LT for them...nobody should give that much money for a RT)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Taylor earned a career-high 76.4 pass-blocking grade in 2022 that landed him in the top 25 among tackles on the year. He allowed pressure on just 2.5% of dropbacks, the third-lowest mark among tackles in the NFL, though quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s lightning-quick 2.51-second average time to throw certainly helped. However, Taylor’s 76.7 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets still ranked 14th among tackles and his 5.2% pressure rate allowed was a top-10 mark.

On the other hand, Taylor had the highest rate of negatively graded run blocks among tackles in the NFL (22.4%). This is, of course, the less important aspect of tackle play, but it’s undoubtedly still a cause for concern if a lineman is earning a negative grade on more than one out of every five rushing plays.

4. OT KALEB MCGARY
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

McGary, a first-round pick in 2019, had his fifth-year option declined for 2023 and responded with a career year that sets him up nicely. The Falcons chose not to franchise-tag him, with the approximately $18.25 million price likely too rich in their eyes.

McGary’s 91.6 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among tackles, trailing only the great Trent Williams, with 19.7% of his run-blocking snaps earning a positive grade, which also placed second best. The concern here will be if he’s a beneficiary of the NFL’s run-heaviest offense and if his 66.9 pass-blocking grade — a career best — can continue to improve in years to come.

5. OT ISAIAH WYNN
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Wynn had a very tumultuous rookie contract with the New England Patriots, missing his entire rookie 2018 season to injury and good chunks of time in 2019 and 2020. Nevertheless, over the 2019-21 seasons, Wynn earned 70.0-plus pass-blocking grades each year, and his 79.6 overall grade ranked 26th among tackles.

Injuries are a legitimate concern, and the Patriots seemed to reach a boiling point in 2022 with the lack of certainty, but Wynn will be just 26 years old for most of his sixth NFL season and has logged significant time at both tackle spots. We projected a deal that is right about the same value as his 2022 fifth-year option but over a two-year stretch. Perhaps Wynn looks to take a one-year flier instead if he thinks he can boost his stock into a multi-year deal.

6. OT TAYLOR LEWAN
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Knee injuries have ended two of the past three seasons for Lewan, and there have to be some questions about how he will return this time. He bounced back in 2021 from injury, and he will face the same uphill climb in 2023.

7. OT KELVIN BEACHUM (re-signed by Cardinals)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Beachum earned his 10th straight season-long pass-blocking grade above 70.0 and showed few signs of slowing down at 33 years old, logging more than 1,100 snaps with a revolving door of lineman teammates at each of the other four positions all season long.

He’s limited as a run blocker, and that won’t change, but you know what you’re going to get with Beachum at right tackle, and you’re likely going to get tremendous value considering he’s coming off a two-year, $4 million deal signed in 2021.

8. OT JERMAINE ELUEMUNOR
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Eluemunor’s journey is one of perseverance, and after finally being trusted with a starting job for a full season, the longtime swing tackle deserves a solid payday above the minimum.

From Week 7 through the end of the season, Eluemunor’s 83.1 pass-blocking grade ranked fourth among right tackles, with his 4.0% pressure rate allowed on true pass sets (2.0 seconds or more, straight dropback, screens and play action removed) also the fourth-best mark at the position.

9. OT CAMERON FLEMING
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Fleming has bounced around the league over the past few years but earned a career-high 72.6 grade on a career-high 976 snaps in 2022.

The 30-year-old tackle also put his swing-tackle prowess on display, with nine starts at right tackle and six at left tackle, earning grades right around 70.0 on each side of the line.

The veteran should have a handful of suitors after reminding the league that he can be a very reliable swing option.

10. OT DONOVAN SMITH
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

11. OT GEORGE FANT
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

Fant struggled with injuries and once again moved back and forth between right and left tackle, an unfortunate development after a career year in 2021 had him looking for an extension before the season began. The seventh-year tackle earned a career-high 75.1 pass-blocking grade in 2021, playing almost exclusively at left tackle.

His 3.2% pressure rate allowed was the sixth lowest among tackles on the season. Fant will be 31 years old in 2023, and at worst he is a reliable swing tackle who has plenty of experience over the past two years on either side of the line. He just needs to get back to full health.

12. OT TREY PIPKINS
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

13. OT ANDREW WYLIE (Agreed w/ Commanders)
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

14. OT BILLY TURNER
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

15. OT BRANDON SHELL
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings

[Kingspoint]

True. So, are you saying Ekeler has the power to approve or veto a trade based off a trade and restructured contract? Those are complicated and I’m not sure how they work.

Chargers won't give him away. He agrees to what they find in a trade partner, plays for them or sits out (never works out for a player).

Chargers are in the exaxt same boat as the Bengals. Two WR's that will cost over $20M per season each and a QB that will cost over $50M. With $100M committed to those three spots (though the length of one of the Chargers' elite WR's ends very soon, so not quite the same), there's no money for the RB spot.

Both the Chargers and the Bengals have to choose a few of the positions where they have to spend below league average. RB is the obvious spot, because of the high productivity one can get from players costing below league average at that spot.

I can't see them spending more than $4M for the Starter or over $2M for the backup #1, or $1M for the backup #2, for a total of $8M for the three RB's. Maybe they allocate $10M per season for the position, while they may be able to go a little more this season and less the next two seasons, but they aren't going to be in the hunt for an Ekeler, and certainly won't give up compensating draft picks, too, picks highly valuable in the Burrow/Chase/Higgins era.

[KoryMac5]

I didn't realize how good Tycen Anderson tested at Last yrs combine:

9.64 RAS
4.36 40
Rated 29th out of 788 FS prospects since 1987

If I were the Bengals I would sign someone to come in and provide depth in case Hill and Anderson can't go...but man both Hill and Anderson can fly.

[Danny Serafini]

Bell's deal was 3 years 22.5 with the Panthers...

Bengals probably offered both the same deal and Pratt took it first...

I like Bell but I think they can get faster on the backend...Bell was good in the box but a bit of a liability in coverage.

Bell got $13 million guaranteed, which is why he's gone. Pratt got $7 million guaranteed

[Redsfaithful]

I didn't realize how good Tycen Anderson tested at Last yrs combine:

9.64 RAS
4.36 40
Rated 29th out of 788 FS prospects since 1987

If I were the Bengals I would sign someone to come in and provide depth in case Hill and Anderson can't go...but man both Hill and Anderson can fly.

Yeah, his speed is elite, he was another Bengals draft pick who was a team captain in college too. He should be a good backup and useful on special teams this year. Probably more of a shot that they go with Hill and Anderson this year than fans would want to admit, but I do think they'll sign a Bell replacement.

[KoryMac5]

Bell got $13 million guaranteed, which is why he's gone. Pratt got $7 million guaranteed

yep saw that on twitter Bengals were offering similar dollars but the guaranteed money past yr 2 was huge for Bell...

Lou said he likes both Hill and Anderson but would like a guy with experience back there...so writing on the wall they sign someone.

[Redhook]

Perine to the Broncos for $7.5 over 2 years. I think it’s about time the Bengals start signing some players.

[UKFlounder]

Day two, they have lost Perrine yo Denver (2 years, $8 million) and added nobody.

A slow starts, but hopefully some good deals are still available

[Todd Gack]

The overreaction from Bengals fans losing Perine is comical.

[WVRed]

The overreaction from Bengals fans losing Perine is comical.

Kingspoint has entered the chat

[Big Red Smokey]

They aren't signing anyone to big money that could potentially take away the 3rd round comp pick for Bates. They'll wait until they can sign people without the constraints of losing that pick.

The safety market is gonna come back to them it looks like. Also the running game couldn't have been worse last year.

[Kingspoint]

I think the Bengals have been the best of any of the 32 teams over the last 3 seasons when it comes to Free Agency and the Draft. I'm not worried about what has or hasn't happened and look forward to seeing what their intelligence ends up coming through with for the team this off-season.

They have some viable options from the last two drafts, those on the practice squad, the remaining Free Agents, cuts still to be made by other teams, potential trades and the draft. They aren't making plans just for this year, but for the next six seasons, and what they do now has to be correct. They can't take a chance of overpaying for someone right now.

[Kingspoint]

Kareem Hunt, Miles Sanders, Devin Singletary, Jamaal Williams, D’Onta Foreman, Damien Harris and David Montgomery are available.

[Big Red Smokey]

Yeah both the RB and Safety market are gonna come down to where the Bengals should have their pick based on guys wanting to win. And are willing to sign short term deals. Which is where they need to thrive.

[Kingspoint]

Lions just took Montgomery off the market.

[Big Red Smokey]

So as of now the Bengals have 3 comp picks
Rd 3 - Bates
Rd 5 - Bell
Rd 7 - Perine

[Kingspoint]

It's going to be interesting which direction the Bengals take with signing a Free Agent Safety. There are some really good options available:

I'm not thinking of players who are too costly like Poyer or Gardner.

Julian Love would be my first choice and cost the most.

Taylor Rapp would be my second choice.

Donovan Wilson would be my third choice.

My Dollar Store choice would be DeShon Elliott.

Each of them I would try to sign to 3-yr contracts.

[KoryMac5]

Calais Campbell would be a nice rotational fit on the D line even at his age...dude has old man strength.

[WrongVerb]

I wonder if there's a chance the NFLPA is sabotaging the Bengals' ability to sign good players due to the team's recent controversy (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/12/nflpa-bengals-are-trying-to-strip-athletes-of-workers-compensation-benefits/) with the association.

[KoryMac5]

I wonder if there's a chance the NFLPA is sabotaging the Bengals' ability to sign good players due to the team's recent controversy (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/03/12/nflpa-bengals-are-trying-to-strip-athletes-of-workers-compensation-benefits/) with the association.

I think Burrow outweighs that...

After all this is the team that signed Still to a contract so his daughter could have health insurance.

Tobin is very calculated in FA they seldom make moves on Day 1 or 2 Karra and Kappa being exceptions last season...I think we see some moves later today or by Friday...

[WrongVerb]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #Panthers are expected to sign former #Bengals TE and first-round pick Hayden Hurst, source said. Another weapon for their new QB (whoever that is).
9:39am · 15 Mar 2023

[Redhook]

Little bit of a bummer, but not a huge deal. They filled Uzomah’s spot well and I expect them to do the same filling Hurst’s spot. I doubt they’ll go after Dalton Shultz. I’m guessing they’ll sign an average veteran TE and draft one in the first or second round.

[UKFlounder]

Bengals re-sign Traveyon Williams.

He and Chris Evans take care of the 3rd and 4th string RB roles.

[Sea Ray]

Bengals re-sign Traveyon Williams.

He and Chris Evans take care of the 3rd and 4th string RB roles.

Even if we keep Mixon we need a 2nd string

[UKFlounder]

It sounds like they’ll draft or sign a FA guy, but that might be incorrect.







Even if we keep Mixon we need a 2nd string

[KoryMac5]

It sounds like they’ll draft or sign a FA guy, but that might be incorrect.

They need someone to pass protect and operate out of the gun...which may eliminate quite a few FAs...

Would love Ekler in that role but I would place that at a 1% chance of happening

The kid Miller from TCU might fit the bill in the draft. Has a ton of exp. working out of the gun

[RedTeamGo!]

Zeke Elliot is getting released

[Kingspoint]

Kareem Hunt, Miles Sanders, Devin Singletary, Jamaal Williams, D’Onta Foreman, Damien Harris and David Montgomery are available.

Sanders (4yrs) and Williams (3yrs/$12M) are gone.

Don't want anything to do with Elliott.

- - - Updated - - -


Even if we keep Mixon we need a 2nd string

We can't keep Mixon without Mixon taking a 70% paycut. That's just financial prudence and business. Mixon is ineffective and not worth more than $2M per season. Keeping Mixon would be financially irresponsible when that money could be used on a Safety and a RT.

[Kingspoint]

It's going to be interesting which direction the Bengals take with signing a Free Agent Safety. There are some really good options available:

I'm not thinking of players who are too costly like Poyer or Gardner.

Julian Love would be my first choice and cost the most.

Taylor Rapp would be my second choice.

Donovan Wilson would be my third choice.

My Dollar Store choice would be DeShon Elliott.

Each of them I would try to sign to 3-yr contracts.

Dolphins are signing DeShon Elliott to a 1-year contract (it's being reported).

Browns took Jaun Thornhill off the market (3yrs/$21M, $14M gauranteed).

[Kingspoint]

James Robinson off the market. (2yrs/$8M max if incentives are reached)

Matison off the market. (Vikings re-sign him to the same as Robinson)

This is what Mixon's restructured contract needs to be (2yrs/$5M w/ incentives that could reach $8M, and not based on just volume, but effectiveness, such as elusive rate, yards-after-contact, yards-per-carry, etc.) Because his contract is over $12M, there's only one solution here...he needs to be cut, as he'd never be OK mentally with the team after taking that huge of a pay-cut.

[Kingspoint]

I still want Kareem Hunt.

Would also be fine with D'Onta Foreman.

Would also be fine with Damien Harris.

I know we're drafting a RB, too, so we'll have four RB's competing for touches.

Harris is a much better pass-blocker than Foreman and is better than Mixon inside the 20-yard line and inside the 5-yard line and in short-yardage. Foreman is the best pass-catcher of them all, while Hunt is the most versatile and the worst pass-blocker among them all. Hunt can handle the greatest amount of touches for a season, but all of them can handle 25 touches in a game as long as it's not too many games like that during the season.

We could get both Harris and Foreman for 1/2 to 2/3rd's of what Mixon is costing us right now.

I'd rather pay TE Dalton Shultz $12M per season than Mixon $1. Schultz had a very slow start to the year, in part due to the absence of quarterback Dak Prescott, but came on strong in the middle of the season. From Week 7 to Week 12, his 83.5 grade ranked third among tight ends, including a 76.8 receiving grade and an 82.5 run-blocking grade to go along with 2.11 yards per route run (fourth), 230 receiving yards (fifth), three contested catches (tied fourth) and three touchdowns (fifth).

Schultz’s ceiling may not be the highest, but he’s a reliable pass catcher who can find soft spots in zone coverage and a plus run blocker in a league that has very few of them at the tight end position. He could turn into a good value as a second-tier signing a bit below the top of the market. We could get him for 2yr/$16M-$18M. That would be a steal. He'd shore up the Offensive Line as a plus-blocker, too.

[MilotheMayor]

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1636190097484795905?t=fawgPx3Nub3TQTGh8ygYMg&s=19

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Redhook]

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1636190097484795905?t=fawgPx3Nub3TQTGh8ygYMg&s=19

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

That is awesome!

[Redhook]

Does Orlando Brown play left or right tackle for the Bengals? Jonah is well below average. I’m guessing they cut Collins. Carman could be decent, but he’s terrible on the right side of the line. It’ll be interesting to see what they do. IMO, I put the best player at their best position and let the chips fall.

[Ohayou]

I read it's to play LT as well. Pretty sure he was offered like $23m APY in KC and we ended up getting him for $16m. That's a steal for that position.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Wow!

[Redhook]

Good to hear. So, right now, assuming they drop Collins at RT, they’re better than league average at LT, C and RG. That’s awesome. Volson will probably be league average in his second year. That’s a great line even if RT is so so. And, Carman proved he is a great backup on the left side of the line.

Can Jonah play RT?

[Sea Ray]

I read it's to play LT as well. Pretty sure he was offered like $23m APY in KC and we ended up getting him for $16m. That's a steal for that position.

I'm hearing it's definitely LT

[Redhook]

I'm hearing it's definitely LT

I’m down with that. Turn a weakness into a strength and protect Burrow’s blind side. What a great signing.

[Redhook]

The Bengals started with approximately $35 in cap space this off-season. They added Pratt and Brown equaling $23 towards this year. When they cut Collins, $7 I think, and Mixon, $8, they’ll still have around $27 in cap space. I’m assuming they’ll use some of that for Burrow, but that’s still enough to sign a quality safety and CB.

[WrongVerb]

Alrighty, then. Orlando Brown solves a lot of problems.

[Kingspoint]

How can I place how I feel into this little box on a computer?

I had already claimed that the Bengals were the best of all of the 32 teams when it comes to the Off-season over the last four seasons.

This news takes that measurement and laps the competition.


Guess which horse is the Bengals?

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. AXxPMoKQzTitLfFfrwOhBQHaFu%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=4c9d34c47dca5d2824fb8e567cfb0c693a888dfc7bcd97 cffc54a4556552d040&ipo=images

[Kingspoint]

Orlando Brown was let go by his last two teams because he refuses to play RT and most teams feel he's not good enough to play LT (and get the money that comes with that position, usually about twice as much as RT, which I'm sure is why Orlando Brown refused to play RT). I didn't think the Bengals were willing to overpay at LT for someone who isn't likely to be a Top-15 LT, and is more likely to hang around 15-25 among LT's. That's a wide swing, but it's a swing that places him at average to below-average.

Here's how I see it.

Why invest $50+ million, or about $250M on Burrow with his next contract, $30M, or about $150M on Chase's next contract, and $20M, or about $100M on Higgins' next contract for a total of $100M/yr, or half a Billion Dollars over five years, unless you protect the hell out of what makes everything work.

A smart person pays for insurance for everything.

That's just part of it. The Bengals will be subject to not being able to afford quality players who lead them to playoff wins and eventually a Super Bowl win or two. They just lost both Starting Safeties with the reality being that they can't replace that in the same season as monies aren't available to do so. There is a limited number of positions where they can spend above average because they will be spending elite money on the two most elite positions that there are, QB and WR1. They also will be spending above elite at the WR2 position. There just isn't much left when it's necessary to cover at least three of the positions on the O-Line. They've got great contracts at C and RG. They've got great options at LG (should always underspend at LG and RG, but their current RG contract is manageable for now). They need to spend at LT. They can't take a chance there.

Orlando Brown was the #1 rated Free Agent in the 2023 class and he went unsigned up to this point because other teams didn't want to pay him to play LT. Hopefully, that reality drove the price down just a bit, but still the Bengals needed to overpay at this opportunity to secure Joe Burrow's Left Side, or at least make it average. We all know that no LT gave up more, what was it, QB Hits of 12?, than Jonah Williams, last season?

Keeping talent around is going to be difficult. Look what happened to the Eagles this off-season. They lost half their coaches. We'll likely lose our O.C. and D.C. soon, other coaches, too. Retaining Henrickson, Hubbard and Reader will be nearly impossible. We could lose two or all three.

Do we try to find a LT in the draft and let Burrow get hit around for two or three more years?

This is the Bengals pushing in the chips now. The LT market was extremely weak this Free Agency. They could compete with others next year, but traditionally, quality LT's just never appear in Free Agency, and for a good reason. They are few, and they are extremely valuable.

I assume this means that Mixon and Williams are both gone as their monies are needed. Keeping Williams at $12M was only insurance in case we didn't find his replacement. We have three options in-house right now who can play RT, especially with Brown at LT and Karras and Cappa at C and RG. RT is also a position easier to fill in the draft. Who we get for a TE will also have an effect on who will play RT, and vice-versa.

I hope Brown proves those experts wrong who think he has a capped ceiling at LT.

It's a scary signing, but a risk probably worth taking because of the importance of keeping Burrow healthy. We've played Russian Roulette for three season with Burrow, addressing the O-Line as well as we possibly could have last off-season (though we should have added Jason Peters when we could have). We just addressed it as well as we probably could have this off-season.

I don't want to be greedy, but the sugar-on-top would be the addition of Dalton Schultz, a great-blocking TE, excellent pass-catcher, great Redzone Receiver, and incredibly intelligent football player who can read defenses like Burrow and always give Burrow an escape hatch whenever in trouble or if a blitz is coming from an area where Schultz and Burrow can exploit it.

[Kingspoint]

Bengals To Sign OT Orlando Brown Jr.

March 15th, 2023 at 11:12pm CST by Ben Levine

After winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs, Orlando Brown Jr. is heading to a conference foe. The free agent offensive tackle is finalizing a deal with the Bengals, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). It will be a four-year, $64MM deal with Cincinnati, notes Pelissero. The front-loaded contract also includes a $31MM signing bonus, the largest ever for an offensive lineman. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweets that two-thirds of the contract is guaranteed, and the contract will only make Brown the 17th-highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL.

Brown played out the 2022 season on the franchise tag, earning him $16.7MM. The Chiefs were rumored to be prepared to re-tag Brown, but they passed on doing so, all but ensuring that he’d hit unrestricted free agency. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweets that the veteran was insistent on staying at left tackle, and the Bengals will allow him to do just that.

“I’m super thankful for the opportunity to carry on my father’s legacy and be a left tackle,” Brown told Garafolo (Twitter link). “It was important to be able to play that position and play for a winning team and a winning quarterback. Who Dey!”

This past year, he appeared in all 17 games en route to a Super Bowl championship. Pro Football Focus graded Brown as the NFL’s 19th-best offensive tackle among 81 qualifiers, the fourth straight year he’s finished in the top-half at the position. Last offseason, the Bengals were busy investing money in their offensive line as they looked to keep quarterback Joe Burrow upright. The team ended up signing La’el Collins, Alex Cappa, and Ted Karras for a combined $21MM in guaranteed money. Those three players each contributed more than 950 offensive snaps, as did fellow starters Cordell Volson and Jonah Williams.

All of those players are still under contract, and it remains to be seen who Brown will be knocking out of the lineup. Williams was generally the team’s LT in 2022, although Collins was the tackle with the worst Pro Football Focus grade in 2022. Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com tweets that the Bengals rarely bail on acquisitions after only one season, although cutting Collins would save the team $6MM against the cap.

Brown, 26, turned down the Chiefs’ extension offer at last year’s July deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign extensions. Kansas City offered Brown a six-year, $139MM deal that would have topped Trent Williams‘ $23MM-AAV record for offensive linemen. While this Cincinnati pact obviously carries a much lower AAV, Brown cited insufficient guarantees as the reason he passed on the Chiefs’ offer. The team offered Brown $38MM in total guarantees and $52.5MM guaranteed for injury. Brown bet on himself, stayed healthy and landed his long-term deal. Given what the Chiefs offered last year, it will be interesting to learn the full details of Brown’s Bengals contract.


On why Trent Brown didn't sign the extension with the Chiefs last season: https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/08/orlando-brown-jr-chiefs-extension-offer-too-light-on-guarantees

Already a million views... Mike Garafolo
@MikeGarafolo
Just spoke to new #Bengals LT Orlando Brown Jr.: "I'm super thankful for the opportunity to carry on my father's legacy and be a left tackle. It was important to be able to play that position and play for a winning team and a winning quarterback. Who Dey!"
7:29 PM · Mar 15, 2023


The contract is perfect for the Bengals...heavy in 2023, and much more workable 2024-2026. They aren't paying him to be an elite LT. They are paying him to be a good LT. He has the opportunity to outplay the contract.

[Kingspoint]

In my wildest dreams I didn't think the Bengals could pull this off.

Amazing!

[Kingspoint]

PFF on Orlando Brown:

After threatening to hold out for the 2022 season following a franchise-tag saga that didn’t culminate in a long-term deal, Brown turned a slow start into a strong second half protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. From Week 10 to the end of the regular season, Brown’s 88.7 pass-blocking grade ranked third best among left tackles. He may not become one of the game’s true top tackles given his much-maligned athletic limitations, but he’s a very reliable blindside protector who has succeeded in two diametrically opposed offensive schemes.

Kansas City can't afford to lose Orlando Brown, but they decided to not franchise-tag him this season. Brown’s 2022 season got off to a rocky start after a lengthy franchise tag dispute, but he finished the season quite strong. From Week 7 on, his 81.6 overall grade ranked eighth and his 86.1 pass-blocking grade ranked seventh.

Prior to the 2022 season, The Baltimore Ravens selected Brown in the third round in 2018 after he slid in the draft due to a poor NFL combine performance. Brown slotted in immediately at right tackle, playing 760 snaps as a rookie and earning a 67.8 PFF grade after allowing 16 quarterback pressures, including no sacks. He posted 70.0-plus overall grades in his next two seasons and played left tackle for his final 10 contests of 2020 while replacing an injured Ronnie Stanley. The Ravens traded Brown, a second-round pick and a sixth-round pick to the Chiefs in April 2021 for first-, third- and fourth-rounders in 2021 and a 2022 fifth-rounder because of his desire to play left tackle full time. Across a career-high 1,127 snaps in 2021, Brown earned a 75.4 overall grade, a 67.0 run-blocking grade and a 76.1 pass-blocking grade.

[Kingspoint]

Hobson's story on Brown...

https://www.bengals.com/news/reports-bengals-strike-with-4-time-pro-bowl-lt-orlando-brown-jr

Although the Bengals indicated at the NFL scouting combine two weeks ago that incumbent left tackle Jonah Williams wouldn't be moving to right tackle, that was before the Bengals went out and acquired their best offensive lineman since the says of Pro Bowl left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Whitworth, now an NFL analyst for Amazon, took a call from Brown Wednesday night just as he hung up with Bengals.com. "It's exciting, for one thing, to get a player of that caliber," Whitworth said. "Orlando has played in Baltimore and Kansas City, two different systems. One is physical domination and the other one is tailored to Patrick Mahomes. He's proven he can win a lot of different ways and that experience should be a great influence on the group. Let's face it. When Joe Burrow is protected, no matter what else is going on, the Bengals are hard to beat."

Whitworth has heard the alleged NFL CW that Brown is a better right tackle than left tackle, but he's not too sure about that. "He's been productive both places," Whitworth says. Plus, he thinks Brown's strength and size is a great fit for Burrow. "Orlando is not going to get knocked back. There is no concern of that," Whitworth said. "Joe just wants to know if you're going to miss, where are you going to miss. If Orlando is going to get beat, it's probably going to be on an outside speed rush. So all Joe has to do is step up in the pocket."

Williams, who counts more than $12 million against the salary cap, is coming off surgery for a dislocated kneecap and is reportedly going to be ready for training camp. The injury status of incumbent right tackle La'el Collins for Opening Day is murky since he's just in the second month of rehab for a torn ACL. At the combine offensive line coach Frank Pollack said swing tackle Jackson Carman is in the mix to start on the right side if Collins isn't ready for early in the season.

- - - Updated - - -

Knock on wood....

He's missed just one of a possible 82 regular-season games and started all 10 playoff games.

[Kingspoint]

Welcome home, Orlando! Ohio is your home.

[Kingspoint]

One-on-one with Awuzie from Hobson...

https://www.bengals.com/news/chidobe-awuzie-s-offseason-of-rehab-eyes-pro-bowl-and-bigger-leadership-role-for

[Kingspoint]

With the Bills having to play Rodgers and the Jets twice and the Chiefs having to play Sean Payton twice, that might be just the edge to give the Bengals a chance at the #1 overall seed for the next few years.

[Redsfaithful]

Just massive, huge day. Jonah to RT, all five OL spots should be set right now, all five have a good shot at being above average. Burrow is going to light it up this year. I've been waiting to see him with time to throw for years now, can't wait.

[KoryMac5]

Nice move from the Bengals, Steelers and Jets were offering Bengals stepped up the guaranteed money to seal the deal. Brown said he wanted to play with Burrow.

[Boss-Hog]

The Bengals started with approximately $35 in cap space this off-season. They added Pratt and Brown equaling $23 towards this year. When they cut Collins, $7 I think, and Mixon, $8, they’ll still have around $27 in cap space. I’m assuming they’ll use some of that for Burrow, but that’s still enough to sign a quality safety and CB.That's not exactly how the cap calculation works (average salary per season) - in a good way. The signing bonus gets split over the years of the contract, so that amount, in addition to the player's annual salary, bonuses, etc amount to their yearly cap hit. For that reason, when the contract details come out, Brown's (not to mention Pratt's) 2023 cap hit should be lower than the $16 million annual average of the contract, so the Bengals should have a bit more cap space available than was mentioned (assuming they move on from Mixon and LC).

[The Operator]

Might not be done yet…

[KoryMac5]

Nick Scott safety in for a visit as well…

[UKFlounder]

Well, that’s terrific news to wake up to, LOL

Wow

Full credit to this organization for making such a move

[Roy Tucker]

I’m not used to the Bengals being smart.

[JCM11]

Well we can't say the Bengals aren't trying to win. I think they know they have a short window of being able to keep Burrow, Chase, and Higgins together.

[RiverRat13]

That's a really good price for Brown. I think the consensus is that he's a second tier left tackle and the Bengals got him at a second tier price. It's rare not to have to overpay for an outside free agent.

[Redhook]

Jonah Williams contract is guaranteed this year, correct? Meaning they can’t cut him. It looks like he played one year at RT in college so that’s good news if they’re going to move him to that position.

[RiverRat13]

Jonah Williams contract is guaranteed this year, correct? Meaning they can’t cut him. It looks like he played one year at RT in college so that’s good news if they’re going to move him to that position.

Correct. I'd guess he'd move to RT. There's a small chance they try to move him inside to LG but I doubt it. An even smaller chance they'd trade him.

[KoryMac5]

Excellent article on why the Brown signing is huge:

https://atozsports.com/cincinnati/bengals-nfl-free-agency-orlando-brown-contract

[RiverRat13]

This really opens up the draft, too. I imagine they'll sign another depth OL like Cody Ford (who is visiting), and vets at RB, S, TE, and CB. With how much they've investing and are going to invest $$$ on the offense, I could see another defense heavy draft coming. But then again, if a tackle falls they could take him in the 1st round to be Jonah's replacement in waiting.

I'm still not in love with taking a TE at 28, especially for such a deep class. However, you could argue that taking a difference maker there this year helps in '23 and allows them to skimp on Boyd's replacement at slot receiver in 2024.

[Todd Gack]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, his contract is frontloaded in the first two years. If that's true, that means it won't count as much by the time Burrow's contract hits the books in 2025? I mean, there's really no downside to this if true.

[Wonderful Monds]

At this point I’m hoping they go d-line or that Darnell Washington falls to them

[Boss-Hog]

That's not exactly how the cap calculation works (average salary per season) - in a good way. The signing bonus gets split over the years of the contract, so that amount, in addition to the player's annual salary, bonuses, etc amount to their yearly cap hit. For that reason, when the contract details come out, Brown's (not to mention Pratt's) 2023 cap hit should be lower than the $16 million annual average of the contract, so the Bengals should have a bit more cap space available than was mentioned (assuming they move on from Mixon and LC).Here are the numbers behind this concept:

https://atozsports.com/cincinnati/bengals-nfl-free-agency-orlando-brown-contract


$31 million due at signing is great for one specific reason: first-year cap number. Brown's signing bonus will be prorated over the four-year life of the deal, meaning it will count for $7.75 million per year on the cap. Because Brown is pocketing essentially 50% of the deal this year, the team can pay him a minimum base salary this season, which would make his cap number a very manageable $8 or $9 million figure.

We'll have to see what the official contract details look like, but this is how NFL teams attract high-priced free agents and maintain cap space. It's also a self-imposed obstacle the Bengals had to work around since the dawn of free agency.

[Ohayou]

At this point I’m hoping they go d-line or that Darnell Washington falls to them

My early prediction is Emmanuel Forbes. The Bengals want players in the backfield with a knack for making plays on the ball. Forbes is that guy, with 14 INT's in 25 games, 6 of which were returned for touchdowns.

[WrongVerb]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #Bengals are bringing back punt returner Trent Taylor on a 1-year deal, source said. Taylor was No. 3 in the NFL in punt return average and No. 4 in total punt return yards.
1:18pm · 16 Mar 2023

[Kingspoint]

PFF's projected breakout candidate last off-season for the 2022 Bengals...

CINCINNATI BENGALS: RB CHRIS EVANS

2021 PFF Grade: 75.7

Evans is simply too good of a receiver to be kept off the field in the coming years for Cincinnati. The 2021 sixth-round pick flashed his pass-catching chops as a rookie this year with an 82.4 receiving grade and 2.16 yards per route run. He has only played 103 snaps, but that number should increase next year with his ball skills and strong athletic profile. The running back put on a clinic at last year’s Senior Bowl. This breakout possibility has a lower floor than perhaps anyone else on this list, but the ceiling is high.

[Kingspoint]

Nick Scott safety in for a visit as well…

That one is interesting. He allowed 30 of 38 targets to be caught last season, but he had a huge number of tackles at 80. He did not have a good PFF Grade last season, his first as a Starter in the NFL. That's an extremely low number of targets, especially when you consider that Jalen Ramsey was in the secondary to funnel more targets his way. Rams were really bad last year. Their Offense stunk. Their Defense was mediocre. He's about 28 years of age, so he has the years of experience, though not as a Starter, that the Bengals said they were looking for in Free Agency. I trust their judgement. The interview here is important. They saw enough to bring him in for a visit, which doesn't mean signing. I expect more visits from Free Agent Safeties. They also said that they are looking for a Safety that is decent in everything, run support, pass coverage in the slot and deep middle. Scott seems to be below average in coverage whereever he is. Don't see us going this route.

- - - Updated - - -


I’m not used to the Bengals being smart.

I am. They've been consistently smart for four seasons now.

[Kingspoint]

Well we can't say the Bengals aren't trying to win. I think they know they have a short window of being able to keep Burrow, Chase, and Higgins together.

It's not short. We've already had two years. We've got probably six years to go. That's eight years and on the extreme end of long, when it comes to having an elite QB and two elite Receivers together.

And, Burrow's window is open as long as he's still playing.

[Kingspoint]

Correct. I'd guess he'd move to RT. There's a small chance they try to move him inside to LG but I doubt it. An even smaller chance they'd trade him.

Has to be the option, yes.

At this point, I think he's insurance only and more likely becomes moved to another team at some point. Just can't see them paying that much money for a RT when there are in-house options available at 1/10th the cost that would likely be as good, in addition to a possible draft pick if the right player falls into their lap in the 1st or 2nd Rd.

He's not going to see $12M again in Cincinnati, even if he becomes a Top-10 RT this season. That's just too much money for that position. If they let him play it out (in a contract year, though last year was also a contract year, as he lost his starting LT job as a result of his poor play), and he does well, the Bengals have nothing to lose, as they can offer a contract that is worthy of his play as a RT, more like half of what he's making this season.

[Kingspoint]

At this point I’m hoping they go d-line or that Darnell Washington falls to them


BPA

If all things are equal, TE.

They need to acquire more draft picks and take more BPA's. Acquire as much talent through the drafts as possible over the next five years.

[Strikes Out Looking]

Bengals just announced they signed OT Cody Ford to a one year contract.

[WVRed]

BPA

If all things are equal, TE.

They need to acquire more draft picks and take more BPA's. Acquire as much talent through the drafts as possible over the next five years.

If it were me, trade out.

Hope a team decides that Hendon Hooker is worth trading into the first round for like Baltimore did with Lamar Jackson. That would be ideal.

[KoryMac5]

Bengals negotiating currently with Nick Scott supposedly was signed but that tweet was deleted...Rapp is also coming in for a visit so they may be waiting to decide which safety fits best.

[Kingspoint]

Bengals just announced they signed OT Cody Ford to a one year contract.

Pro Football Focus graded Ford’s pass blocking with a 46.0 and his run blocking with a 39.0 in 2022.

That's an "F-" and an "F--".

- - - Updated - - -


Bengals negotiating currently with Nick Scott supposedly was signed but that tweet was deleted...Rapp is also coming in for a visit so they may be waiting to decide which safety fits best.

From PFF...

7. S TAYLOR RAPP


Rapp was solid if unspectacular over his rookie contract after the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the second round in 2019, and he earned career-high grades against the run (82.3) and in coverage (72.9) in 2022. Los Angeles was comfortable lining him up all over, and he’s one of those players who performs OK in various alignments but is not particularly great at any one thing.

One thing that has been consistent: Rapp is a sure tackler, never missing more than 8.7% of potential tackles in a season. His 148 tackles over the past two seasons rank ninth among safeties.