After having a look at the offensive side of things, we now shift over to the defence. This is where people will especially be keeping a close eye, given the massive struggles last season. No matter the position, you could make a compelling argument for the need to make a meaningful addition to it. The iDL, at this point, is in shambles. Outside of Hendrickson, DE is an issue. The Bengals have invested high draft picks at CB. However, after Cam Taylor-Britt’s struggles and Daxton Hill’s injury, a proven veteran there wouldn’t even be bad. At safety, Geno Stone struggled for much of last year, but my gut feeling is that he did enough in the last few games to save his job. Still, you could certainly argue for the need to replace him. And at LB Germaine Pratt’s status on the team is a big question mark.
The one good thing is that the Bengals have cap space. Even if you assume that Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson all get extensions. After factoring in some expected cuts (Alex Cappa being one), addressing both the offensive line and several of their issues on defence should be no issue. On the defensive side of things, the question is, which players should they target?
DT, Milton Williams
After making an impact for the Eagles, Williams is unsurprisingly on the list of targets. He is a great athlete for the position. His burst off the line was one of his biggest selling points as a draft prospect, and it has allowed him to be disruptive at the NFL level too. This past season, he racked up 6 sacks, despite only playing in a rotational role. In a larger role in Cincinnati, the upside would be there for Williams to take yet another step forward.
Assuming he makes it to free agency without being re-signed by the Eagles, price may be the steepest obstacle for the Bengals. PFF’s $21M AAV projection is a hefty one. But on the other hand, Spotrac’s projected market value is much lower, at $12M AAV. The stark contrasts in the various projections you might come across shows the somewhat unpredictable nature of free agency. In this case, in what is considered to be a weak free agent class at DT, his contract may end up on the higher side.
At the end of the day, something closer to Spotrac’s value is in the range of what would be an ideal price for the Bengals. But into the high teens or 20’s, it is hard to see them going that high.
DT, Osa Odighizuwa
Odighizuwa is another interesting option that could give a boost to the iDL. He has been a model of consistency over the past few seasons. As a pass rusher, he has been able to generate a good amount of pressure. 7 sacks this past season is some good work, and he was also near the top of the list in pressures for his position. He is also pretty solid against the run, although his play in this area seemed to be better in 2023. Nonetheless, Odigizuwa is a solid all around player that could help the Bengals at an area of need.
Like with Williams up above, price could be an issue. The thing with Williams is that the variance between some of the projections is quite large. However, for Odighizuwa, they are very similar. In fact, PFF’s and Spotrac’s projections are almost identical, with the former projecting him at $21.25M AAV, and the latter at $21M flat. This would be an extremely steep price to pay. The Bengals do need a lot of help at the position, and Odighizuwa is a name to watch. However, they may be priced out.
*Reports have indicated that the Cowboys are getting closer to re-signing him. But as of the publishing of this article, no deal has been done yet.
DT, Levi Onwuzurike
Onwuzurike took a nice step forward this past year. He was only able to sack the QB 3 times, but was up there in terms of pressures, showing his overall impact as a pass rusher. Though not elite by any means, he is also pretty solid against the run. Rushing the passer is what you’d have in mind when targeting him in free agency, but his game is well rounded for a 3T.
Although his production doesn’t match that of Odighizuwa, Onquzurike will likely come in at a much cheaper price, and can still be a good option. Spotrac has him at $4.5, which frankly, would be a steal. PFF is higher, at an AAV of $8.25M. If the Bengals can get him somewhere in between, it would be a solid move
DT, Calais Campbell
Campbell is in a different situation than the previous players mentioned. He is a 38 year old veteran of the league, who will be looking for a 1 year deal and a shot at a ring. Campbell was a force against the run last year, while also chipping in 5 sacks and a good amount of pressure. He also brings some inside/outside versatility.
Given his age, the price could be on the lower side. That said, his consistency on the field should still earn him a respectable contract. With these kinds of veterans, the price can be a bit tough to predict. But, give or take a couple of million, he could come in around $6M. The Bengals, meanwhile, could offer him the chance to compete for a championship. This is one that seems to make a lot of sense on paper.
DT, Poona Ford
Poona Ford continues the trend of iDL. However, unlike the others, he is a NT, whose primary focus is stopping the run. And make no mistake, he is quite solid as a pass rusher as well, but a signing like this would be more so of a DJ Reader replacement. In a rotation with McKinnley Jackson, Ford could significantly improve what was a huge area of weakness last season.
The price will be interesting here. I think PFF’s $3.5M projection is quite low. Spotrac is higher at $6.6M. On one hand, it makes some sense, as NT’s do typically command a lower salary. But still, Ford was one of the better one’s this past season. I don’t see him getting into DJ Reader territory, in terms of price, but something a number like $8-9M would not surprise me. If it approaches $9-10M, I’d be looking elsewhere to fill this need. However, if the above projections are accurate, this is something the Bengals should be all over.
DT, Teair Tart
If the Bengals miss out on Ford, Tart is a consolation prize. Another NT, the Bengals actually had him in for a visit last offseason. For whatever reason, they did not sign him, and he went on to have a good year with the Chargers on a cheap deal. Attitude has been an issue with him in the past, and perhaps played a role in the Bengals passing on him.
Despite the concerns, Tart showed that he can still make an impact on the field. In desperate need for more help against the run, he should again be considered if some of the other options dry up. While they won’t be able to get him on a minimum deal this time around, Tart should still be on the cheaper side. Something in the $3-4M range seems reasonable.
DT, DJ Jones
Jones is another NT that the Bengals could look to add in free agency. He is a bit volatile on the field. On one hand, his ability to penetrate into the backfield is a huge asset. But on the other hand, he misses more tackles than you would like to see from someone whose primary job is to stop the run.
Despite the ups and downs, Jones would still be a significant upgrade over what the Bengals got from the position last year. His price range seems to be somewhere in the $8-12M ballpark. On the lower end of that spectrum, it is something to consider. But given the inconsistencies, breaking $10M may not be the way to go.
DE, Chase Young
Like DT, DE is a need for the Bengals. It seems like they want to get that extension done with Trey Hendrickson, who has 1 year left on his deal, so I’ll proceed with the idea that we are looking for a complement to him, as well as some additional depth.
Young, of course, is well known in this fanbase. He was drafted one pick after Joe Burrow, and is a former Ohio State Buckeye. Injuries have slowed down someone who initially had a boatload of promise. And while the chances of him becoming that bluechip elite force might have already faded away, Young is certainly someone who can still be highly effective.
In the last while, his play against the run hasn’t quite been as good. However, he has still been pretty consistent as a pass rusher. In New Orleans this past season, he was able to rack up 7 sacks and was top 10 in pressures. It seems as though he’ll be quite pricey. Along with his 2nd overall pedigree, Young comes with good production, which has resulted in a $17.5M projection from both Spotrac and PFF. It is tough to say if this is something the Bengals would be able to afford. However, adding a player with Young’s ability would be a huge boost to the defence.
DE, Azeez Ojulari
The former 2nd round pick hasn’t quite panned out since being drafted by the Giants in 2021. However, he has managed to still find ways to be productive. At this point in his career, he is a situational pass rusher. Despite only playing a limited number of snaps, he racked up 7 sacks.
Considering that his number of pressures is quite low, you do have to wonder how sustainable the sack numbers will be, going forward. But I also wouldn’t peg Ojulari as a high profile signing, either. He has been a rotational guy, and this is what he would remain in Cincinnati. What they do with Joseph Ossai could impact their interest in someone like Ojulari. If Ossai departs, Ojulari could be a fine replacement at a price in the $6M range.
DE, Payton Turner
Turner was a 1st round pick of the Saints, but injuries over his first few seasons quickly led to the “bust” label being thrown his way. He hasn’t panned out for them, but did manage to stay healthy this past season, and show some flashes in a rotational role.
Although the production, or lack thereof, may turn some people off, this is a player the Bengals should be all over. At this point, he is a reclamation project, but he checks a lot of boxes for what you look for in these situations. The first is upside. Turner is extremely athletic and has the size to go with it. The upside has always been there, and he is young enough that you can’t totally count him out. Another major box that he checks off is price. Turner, given his lack of production will be cheap. And value contracts are exactly what the Bengals need, given all the other extensions they have looming. The risk is low, and if you can get something to click, Turner is the kind of guy who can massively outperform a cheap deal.
DE, Josh Uche
It has been a couple of seasons since Uche really has been able to stand out. The Chiefs traded for him part way through last season, but ended up making him a regular healthy scratch. Though I wouldn’t say he has as much upside as Turner, his peak in the league has been higher, up to this point. Still, Uche is another reclamation project. On a cheaper deal, maybe $2-3M, I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer.
DE, Derek Barnett
Barnett is a player I could see the Bengals liking. He has kind of turned into a rotational player over the last handful of years, after being a 1st round pick. However, his game has become a lot more polished since his earlier years. Barnett is well built and quite solid against the run, while also still bringing some splash plays as a pass rusher. He is the kind of player that would fit well in a rotational role, while giving them a higher floor and ceiling than what they’ve had.
Looking at some projections, PFF’s feels quite low, at $4.25M. If that is the number he can be signed for, the Bengals should be all over that. Spotrac’s is higher, at $7.1M. Maybe a tad high for my liking, but something in the $5-6M range would be solid.
DE, Carl Lawson
I can feel the eye rolls coming already. And I get it. This happens often when former Bengals are brought up, as many do it just for nostalgia. However, nostalgia has nothing to do with it in this case.
In the search for potential rotational DE signings, Lawson is one that could make sense. While he isn’t the high end pass rusher he once was, Lawson was able to get out of the dungeon he was in with the Jets, and again become impactful with the Cowboys.
Though his pressure numbers aren’t eye popping by any means, his 6 sacks from last season are solid for a player who would not be expected to have a huge role. Price is the biggest thing here. I would expect him to be on the cheap side–maybe an AAV of $3M or so. For the price, it would not be a bad thing to see Lawson back in stripes.
LB, Dre Greenlaw
LB will be an interesting position to monitor this offseason for the Bengals, given Germaine Pratt’s trade request. If the Bengals end up keeping Pratt, then Greenlaw can be crossed off the list. But if Pratt is cut or traded, he should be the top replacement option.
Greenlaw has been a good starter for the 49ers, proving he can cover and play the run. The LB market doesn’t seem to be heating up either. Spotrac has his projection at $6.7M, while PFF is at $6M. Very affordable. This kind of market for the LB position would be in line with how the last couple of years have played out. If it ends up this way again, the Bengals would be in a position to get a good player at a reasonable price. If they move on from Pratt, that is.
LB, Bobby Wagner
Wagner might not hit free agency, but if he does, the veteran could be another option if Pratt is not back in Cincinnati next season. Although he is in his mid 30’s, Wagner has not seen his game decline. He was an important piece of a Washington defence that otherwise had its fair share of struggles.
It would only be a 1 year deal, surely. If he is on the cheaper side, like around $5M, I’d expect him to stay in Washington. Something closer to $7M may be what it takes to pry him away, if he hits free agency.
LB, Troy Dye
Dye would not be a candidate to replace Pratt, if he leaves. In this case, I am more so thinking of depth. Akeem Davis-Gaither and Joe Bachie are both free agents, and Dye could be an option if one or both are lost.
Dye is a good special teamer, who has also shown he can be solid on defence when needed. He is athletic enough to at least give you half decent play in coverage, and his play against the run has really improved. In fact, he was quite good this past season in that area. The deal, still, would be cheap, maybe in the ballpark of $1.5M
CB, Rasul Douglas
The Bengals have a lot of youth and talent at the CB position, but you can also say there are some question marks. Cam Taylor-Britt had a great start to his career, but fell off a cliff last season. Dax Hill, meanwhile, had a good start in his first season at CB. However, he then suffered a season ending injury. As for DJ Turner, he has flashed, but you have to wonder if size limitations make him better suited for the slot. I still have faith in all three, but it would also be irresponsible to go into next season without an insurance policy. And besides that, CB is a position where you typically need at least 4 quality guys, as injuries do happen.
Given that Hill and Turner can make it in the slot, adding a boundary guy makes more sense than re-signing Mike Hilton. This way, if Taylor-Britt gets back on track, you have two good starters on the boundary. You would also have a good, healthy competition between Hill and Turner. But if CTB continues to struggle, you know you at least have one guy you can turn to. The numbers game is a bit better, as you won’t absolutely need both Hill and Turner to be at their best.
As for Douglas himself, he is a player that has generally shown he can be a consistent guy on the boundary. He makes plays on the ball and can create turnovers. This past season was also a down year for him, but as a veteran guy, his sample size of good play is big enough. He has earned some benefit of the doubt.
As we know, CB isn’t the cheapest position out there, so this would cost some money. PFF has his projected AAV at $13.25M, while Spotrac’s is at $11.9M. Given the importance of the position, it is something to consider, but perhaps one of those cases where they look to a cheaper option.
CB, Stephon Gilmore
Maybe Gilmore could be said cheaper option. Now in his mid 30’s, he has slowed down a little, but still plays at a high enough level to be a quality CB4 and a solid starter if he is needed. Projections for him are in the $5-6M range, so he wouldn’t at all break the bank. Gilmore would, however, provide the young guys with a great veteran mentor, who can also step in if some of their struggles continue.
CB, Isaiah Rodgers
Rodgers has never been given a large snap count, but his play has been quite good over multiple seasons, with a suspension mixed in between. On an Eagles team that was loaded with depth in the secondary, he did well in his limited role, helping the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory. Some have suggested that they could move on from starter Darius Slay in order to retain Rodgers. But if he hits free agency, he could be an option for the Bengals.
PFF’s projects him to receive a 1 year/$3M deal, but I do think that is very much on the low side. Sure, the sample size is small, but it would not be surprising to see a team pay more, as they take a swing on the upside. Something in the $5-6M range feels more likely, but with these low sample size players, they can be tough to predict. As long as the price doesn’t get too crazy, the Bengals should be in on this.
S, Justin Simmons
We know the Bengals don’t like to spend top dollar on the safety position. After the super pricey options, the pickings are a bit slim this time around. But if the Bengals opt to replace Geno Stone (which I don’t think they will), Simmons is a solid option. His ball hawking tendencies were on full display for many years in Denver. Although he wasn’t quite up to his usual standard in Atlanta this past season, the veteran was still able to make plays on the ball and generate some turnovers. At a $5M price range, he would be a solid pickup, should the team decide to move on from Stone.
S, Andre Cisco
Cisco would be more expensive than Simmons, and maybe a little more risky. His play in the last while has been inconsistent, and there were times where his role was reduced. That being said, his upside is also a lot higher. He has a knack for making plays on the ball, and finding himself in a better situation than he had in Jacksonville could also be beneficial for his game.
Price wise, the projections seem to be middle of the pack. Somewhere in the $9M range which, given his age and upside, is a reasonable cost. If the Bengals decide to move on from Geno Stone, Cisco is someone who could be a good long term replacement.
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