The Cincinnati Bengals are currently preparing for a huge Sunday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers to fight for first place in the AFC North. It comes after they beat the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid to take their record to 6-2.
After the Falcons game, the trade deadline hit. However, the Bengals failed to address any of their main positions of need, which was a massive own goal from Duke Tobin. It was made worse by the fact that AFC rivals such as the Jaguars and the Bills made moves of their own, whilst the Bengals stayed stagnant.
After the mistake which was the trade deadline, the Cincinnati Bengals could yet recify, as they could look to the free agent market to fill a couple of holes in the roster before the business end of the season. Here are three names the Bengals should consider signing...
1 - Bobby Wagner - Linebacker
If there's low-hanging fruit, then you may as well pick it. It amazes me that Wagner is still yet to sign with anyone since he became a free agent at the end of last season, following a two-year spell with the Washington Commanders.
Linebacker remains an issue for the Bengals despite improvements from both Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. For one, the Bengals have really struggled to defend tight ends in pass coverage in the middle of the field, and secondly, they've also allowed far too many rushing yards to opposing backs.
Adding an experienced head in Wagner wouldn't only give the Bengals someone who has a track record of run-stuffing, but also a leader, which Cincy really lacks in the middle of that defense. It's been a no-brainer since the start of the season, so get on with it!
2 - Quandre Diggs - Safety
When the Bills signed Amani Hooker, it was a real kick in the teeth, as on StripeHype, we had consistently mentioned him as a strong trade candidate for the Bengals. They need another safety, as the old missed-tackles issue continues to haunt this secondary.
Out of the available free agents, former Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs seems like the best option. He spent most of last season with the Titans, before Seattle snapped him up when they had injury problems in the secondary later in the year. He then went on to win the Superbowl with his former team.
This Bengals team is gunning for a championship. Why not bring someone in who has recent experience winning, while also addressing a position of need? He wouldn't be a needle-mover, but it's better than doing nothing.
3 - Jaydon Blue - Running back
Chase Brown has struggled on the ground this season, and the Bengals have one of the worst rushing attacks in the league. Sure, adding a free agent won't necessarily change that, but bringing someone in with big-play upside wouldn't hurt.
Blue was raved about coming out of college because of his small frame and electric speed. However, he has never really been given enough of a chance in the NFL, whether that was in Dallas or, more recently, in Philadelphia.
The Bengals could pick him up for pennies, and even if he broke for a long touchdown run in one crucial late-season game, it would be absolutely worth it. Plus, he's only 22. If it works out, the Bengals have bagged themselves a long-term asset at running back in a bargain deal.
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