At the top of the “needs” list for the Cincinnati Bengals entering the 2013 season is a dynamic safety. Someone who hits hard, makes big plays, and doesn’t get beat by the deep ball. There are some solid options in the draft, and if one of those top safeties is available at the 21^st spot in the first round, look for the Bengals to pounce. However, there are some pretty solid safeties available on the free agent market, and they just might be the newest members in stripes come March 12^th.

Although it appears two free agent safeties are now off the market due to franchise tags, Jairus Byrd (Buffalo) and Glover Quin (Houston), there are quite a few viable options for the Bengals. With over a month separating free agency and the NFL Draft, the Bengals may not want to risk missing out in the draft, and have the potential to gobble up a very effective safety in free agency.

Safety was an absolute unanswered question in 2012. With the addition of Taylor Mays and Jason Allen in the offseason last season proving to have more questions than answers, the Bengals decided to resign recently cut safety, Chris Crocker. Crocker did put up decent stats, and for quite awhile was the only Bengals secondary player with an interception. Not bad for a guy who didn’t have a full offseason or even some games to prepare for his debut in 2012.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports free agent runningback Reggie Bush is drawing significant interest from three teams, but the Dolphins aren’t one of them:

A source very close to Bush tells me three teams have been talking to Bush agent Joel Segal and that money involved in those talks is significant. The source would provide no details of the money or name the teams but it is clear the interest in Bush isn’t just of the making-a-call variety.

The source is, however, telling me the Dolphins are not one of those teams.

Indeed, the source is saying Reggie Bush categorically will not be back in Miami.

Pittsburgh Steelers Release Sack-Machine James Harrison

UPDATE 10:30 AM

NFL Free agency has begun, and already two prominent defensive backs have re-upped with their current teams.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin has become the NFL’s highest-paid returner, as he’s has agreed to a four-year, $20 million contract. McKelvin averaged an NFL-high 18.7 yards on his 23 punt returns and scored twice, while also averaging 28.3 yards on 18 kickoff returns.

It’s finally here. NFL Free Agency is kicking off, and the first bid signing has been made, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Falcons have retained safety William Moore with a five-year deal. Moore, who went to the Pro Bowl in 2012, was viewed as one of the top free agent defensive backs.

The San Diego Chargers have assigned the original-pick tender to restricted free agent WR Danario Alexander. In a nine-game stretch last year, he racked up 37 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns, which amounts to 66/1,170/13 if prorated across 16 games

The New England Patriots interested in keeping wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth. The team could lose Wes Welker, and is contemplating whether or not to cut Brandon Loyd.

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Oct 27, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro (4) comes onto the field for the game with the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Texas won the game 21-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

It has been accepted as a given that the Bengals will select a safety in the upcoming draft. But history says otherwise. Spending a high draft pick on a safety is not the Bengals’ M.O., and it’s a dangerous game to pin your hopes on Kenny Vaccaro or Jonathan Cyprien being available. And, when faced with a glaring need, it benefits overall draft strategy to fill the need with a known commodity in free agency.

In addition to a very deep draft class of safeties, this year’s free agency class is also a bounty of riches. The Bengals’ predisposition to picking up retread safeties speaks for itself, and Cincinnati is likely to dig pass the two biggest names: Jarius Byrd and Dashon Goldson.

A very interesting name that aligns with the Bengals’ intersection of value and upside meet is LaRon Landry, as discussed recently. Landry’s value was perhaps diminished by the Jets not playing to his strengths, and Mike Zimmer loves a good in the box safety.

Another couple options could also be high on the value scale considering it’s a buyer’s market, but each choice would indicate a completely opposite draft philosophy.