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5 Free Agent targets for the Cincinnati Bengals

By Hunter Bittinger

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Danny Trevathan #59 of the Chicago Bears moves into position against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Seahawks 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 17: Danny Trevathan #59 of the Chicago Bears moves into position against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on September 17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Seahawks 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 09: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates his touchdown with Greg Van Roten #73 during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 09: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers celebrates his touchdown with Greg Van Roten #73 during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 9, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The Cincinnati Bengals are currently slated to rely on a lot of young players along the offensive trenches next season. While that youth will certainly add some upside, it would be wise to add a veteran into the mix. Greg Van Roten would be a great option to fill one of the guard positions.

After going undrafted, he eventually found a home with the Carolina Panthers. In 2018 the 30-year-old started all 16 games, playing every offensive snap that season. This year, his campaign ended with a trip to the IR, but not before he put together another noteworthy season.

Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 65.6, which is much better than any performance by a Bengals guard this season. In addition, he committed just two penalties and surrendered a single sack across 704 snaps. That kind of consistency is essential if the Bengals do the predictable and draft Joe Burrow.

Van Roten played on a deal that paid him just $830,000 on the year. With plenty of cap space, the Bengals can definitely offer him a pay raise to lure him away. The money spent on signing him would be well worth the leadership he brings.

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