The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to become an offensive juggernaut
By Alex Austin
The Cincinnati Bengals have the unique opportunity to create an offensive juggernaut this season if they take advantage of the draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals are not usually a team that is described as being one of the better offenses in the NFL. In years past the New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, and others would have been a better bet for that title. With several options for the Bengals in this year’s NFL Draft, however, Zac Taylor’s squad could become one of the most feared offenses.
Most people would highlight the offensive line as the biggest area of need in order to help Joe Burrow out. This is the most logical option, although, with the Bengals dropping down to the fifth spot, there is a good chance that the top offensive lineman, Penei Sewell, is taken. If that is the case there are still a few good options if the Bengals decide they do not want to move down.
One player that could provide a huge wrinkle for the Cincinnati offense is Kyle Pitts, a tight end out of Florida. Pitts was near uncoverable all season and was a huge reason the Gator offense found success throughout the season.
A matchup nightmare, the 6-6 240 lb. tight end will prove very difficult for defenses to guard. He is big enough to out-muscle most corners but fast enough to get separation from the average linebacker. Giving Burrow a huge target would certainly help in the red zone and allow the Bengals to have a safe check-down every down.
The Bengals could create a Heisman to Heisman connection
The other way to go could be drafting the most recent Heisman Trophy winner, DeVonta Smith. Smith was not only the best receiver in college football but the best player in the country.
Pairing him with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd would create a young, dynamic core that would be difficult to stop. All three of those players have the skill to win individual matchups and get open for Burrow. Smith would help fill the A.J. Green gap this year and make the offense exciting.
Either of these players could be taken at number five and be considered a big success. The more weapons Joe Burrow has, the better this offense is going to continue to look over the next few seasons. If it starts to look like Sewell will be off the board, Cincinnati could address the line through free agency and take a playmaker early on, setting the Bengals up to be one of the top offenses in the NFL.