StripeHype
FanSided

Should the Cincinnati Bengals follow the 49ers Rebuild Blueprint?

By Hunter Bittinger

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 28-25. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the second half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 31, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 28-25. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Running back J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pressures quarterback Adrian Martinez #2 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

One of the biggest advantages of passing on a quarterback at the top of the draft is that it frees up the front office to use their key draft picks at other positions. The 49ers focused on the trenches, almost always selecting offensive and defensive linemen in the first round. Some of those picks include Nick Bosa, Mike McGlinchey, and DeForest Buckner.

The Bengals selected Jonah Williams in round one last year, so they’re already off to a strong start. If they’re able to secure Bridgewater, they’d be able to spend their likely top-5 pick on a prospect such as defensive end Chase Young or offensive tackle Andrew Thomas.

The 49ers have proven that games are won at the line of scrimmage. If the Bengals acquire players of Young or Thomas’s caliber, it could tip the scales heavily in their favor.

Rebuilding the offensive line has been something the Bengals have been trying to do for years, unsuccessfully. If they follow the 49ers blueprint, this may finally be the off-season they get it right. Even if they don’t take an offensive lineman, they could select a key defensive piece that helps that side of the ball return to its once-dominant form.

Home/Bengals News