The Cincinnati Bengals have already done a lot in free agency, but there are still players on the market that they could add.
The Cincinnati Bengals made big moves in free agency, adding defensive tackle D.J. Reader and corner Trae Waynes to big contracts.
There’s no telling if the front office is done on the open market or how much money they have available in cap space until the contract details are official. However, they still have some flexibility with the contracts of Andy Dalton and Dre Kirkpatrick. With that, we’ll break down some of the best names still available at positions of need.
Linebackers:
- Darron Lee– The former first-round pick possesses incredible athleticism but has yet to live up to his draft billing. Because of this, he’d likely come at a reasonable price. It would be a smart, high upside, low-risk move to inject some speed and coverage ability in a linebacker unit that has been lacking such attributes for years.
- Reggie Ragland– The Bengals have clearly made up their mind to fix the league’s worst run defense from a season ago, as both free-agent additions are known for their ability in stopping the ground game. Ragland, also a young player, would continue that trend. He can help the Bengals get to third down, but he shouldn’t be asked to do much in coverage.
- Nick Vigil– Perhaps the best linebacker option remaining on the market is the Bengal’s very own. Vigil has been solid but not outstanding during his career in stripes. However, he played much better down the stretch of the 2019 season. Perhaps he could continue his uptick in play on a renewed contract with the team.
Offensive Line:
- Andrew Whitworth– Could the Bengals reunite with one of their all-time greats after a rocky end to his original tenure? Who knows if the relationship could be repaired between the two sides, but Whitworth would be a tremendous veteran leader for what is expected to be a young offensive line protecting a new franchise quarterback. He seems to drink from the fountain of youth, still playing at a high level at the age of 38.
- Ron Leary– Another veteran option, this time at the guard position. Leary has played at a high level in his career, especially with the Cowboys, but his Pro Football Focus grades have dropped in the past two years. If the Bengals can get him back to his old self, they’d gain a solid guard with plenty of experience.
- Marcus Gilbert– If the Bengals want to add a veteran to give Joe Burrow (presumably) better protection, Gilbert may be the best tackle option on the market. He’s suffered injuries and he’s 32-years-old, but he should come at a reasonable price. If the Bengals can keep him healthy, he could present an upgrade at right tackle.
Miscellaneous:
Although the Bengals don’t have glaring needs at these positions, these names still make sense.
- Tyler Eifert, TE- The Bengals have Uzomah, Sample, and Carter in place. However, none of them have the high-end production potential of Eifert. After years of injury, Eifert played a full slate last year. If Zac Taylor decides to utilize him more, he could be a fantastic red zone option for Burrow.
- Logan Ryan, CB- It’s difficult to tell if the Bengals want to invest any more in the secondary. They gave Waynes a huge payday and are expected to do the same for William Jackson III when his contract expires next year. The team also has rising player Darius Phillips in the pipeline. However, in today’s pass-happy NFL, there is no such thing as too many corners, especially for a Bengals team that heavily values the position. According to PFF, Ryan ranked first in solo tackles and receptions allowed. His addition would certainly add to what is looking to be a strong secondary for the Bengals.