Arkansas Bengal Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Chris Roling Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 5:30 AM CST·6 min read 1 The Cincinnati Bengals enter the offseason with a host of questions to answer and free agency possibly providing major solutions. Granted, free agency presents some hurdles too, considering Cincinnati’s own such as Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams are currently slated to hit the open market. Still, the cap-savvy Bengals have once again juggled the cap well and currently boast roughly $59 million in free space, the sixth-highest mark in the NFL. Let’s rank the top free agents the Bengals could target on the open market when it opens, for now looping in all players slated for free agency before extensions and tags happen, including their own. 25. RB Derrick Henry Syndication: The Tennessean Great fit? Debatable. But it’s a fun one to have near the end of the rankings, as imagining defenses having to worry about Henry bulldozing them and accounting for Joe Burrow’s passing game seems like a nice mix. He’s slowing down, but still a threat. 24. DL Daquan Jones Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle Jones can rush from anywhere and excelled in Buffalo for that reason. He’s an ideal rotational piece, especially if DJ Reader isn’t back. 23. OT Mike Onwenu Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Onwenu is massive and found a home at right tackle this year, possibly making him a budget Jonah Williams replacement. But the experience at other spots sure doesn’t hurt if injuries occur, too. 22. Edge Jadeveon Clowney Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports It looks like Clowney is going to finish out his career on one-year pacts. He’s coming off a career year with the Ravens and would look pretty good on the same line as Trey Hendrickson. 21. TE Hunter Henry Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The market is pretty weak for tight ends but Henry just scored six more times in a bad New England passing attack and would be a nice option for Burrow. 20. TE Noah Fant Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports A former first-rounder yet to fully live up to potential, Fant is an interesting fit because of his ability after the catch. 19. RB Tony Pollard Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Pollard’s slowing down too, but it’s pretty hard to ignore his explosive plays as a runner or receiver and how that might fit with Joe Mixon, provided the veteran returns as the main back again. 18. RB Austin Ekeler Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Possibly more expensive than Pollard (but who knows, given how the league treats RBs), Ekeler remains the blueprint for an ideal pass-catching back and would fit great. 17. G Dalton Risner Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Risner would arrive and make for an interesting bit of competition for Cordell Volson at left guard. 16. CB Steven Nelson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Going on 31 years old, Nelson is one of those reliable veterans the Bengals would probably love to add. 15. DL Teair Tart Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports The Bengals were one of the few teams to attempt to claim Tart on waivers earlier this year, which says it all about the team’s interest and fit. 14. Edge Denico Autry Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Autry might turn 34 next year, but what he’s able to do across a defensive line remains impressive and will interest a Bengals team that needs to upgrade the entire rotation. 13. TE Dalton Schultz (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Schultz is the best tight end possibly headed to market, reliable down the field and a solid run blocker, making him a pricer option than Cincinnati usually takes. 12. CB Chidobe Awuzie Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Awuzie never got all the way back from his injury the year prior, clearly. But if he’s willing to return as a backup and rotational guy, the Bengals would probably love to retain his knowledge and example for a younger developing secondary. 11. OT Trent Brown Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Brown is over 30 years old but might be one of those Jonah Williams replacements that makes sense, especially because of his experience at other positons if the injury bug strikes. 10. DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Hey, do the Bengals want to go all out in correcting the Jessie Bates mistake? It would be impossible to not find a role for a player as talented as Winfield, provided the team is willing to pay. 9. OT Jonah Williams Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Williams enjoyed a career upswing at right tackle, even if he preferred to play on the left side. Finally finding a right tackle is surely appealing to the Bengals, though they will need to see what the market pays him like — and if it’s left tackle numbers instead. 8. DL Leonard Williams Syndication: The Record Williams continues to enjoy an upswing in pass-rush efficiency in a way that might appeal to the Bengals, depending on if the market goes wild for his services. 7. DE Chase Young Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Young makes this list pretty much strictly because there’s a chance he needs to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal. That would certainly be a great buy for a Bengals line already sporting Hendrickson. 6. DL DJ Reader Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Reader has been one of the biggest, yet underrated components of Cincinnati’s contention over the last few years. The season-ending injury makes this complicated, but if the market decides he only gets a one-year, prove-it deal, there’s zero reason to not bring him back when he’s ready. 5. CB L’Jarius Sneed Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Sneed is a high-end No. 1 cornerback and about to be paid like it. But we’ve got to list him on the off chance the Bengals get impatient with the young secondary and pull a Trey Hendrickson-type move. 4. DL Justin Madubuike (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) Swiping a producer like Madubuike (half sack in 13 of 17 games this season) from a rival like the Ravens would be a no-brainer of a move. 3. DL Christian Wilkins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Wilkins probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves as an all-around player and would make for a fantastic, versatile option on the Cincinnati front. 2. DL Chris Jones (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) One of the most popular Twitter theories out there, Jones is one of the best interior pass-rushers and defenders of his generation, which Bengals fans know all too well. The logic here is simple: If Jones does leave the Chiefs, he’ll at least want to play for a contender and he and the Bengals know a thing or two about each other. 1. WR Tee Higgins (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) Who else? The Bengals are almost guaranteed to place the franchise tag on Higgins, making him their No. 1 target. There’s no sense in giving up that year of control and risking the championship window if they can’t find a way to work out an extension. https://sports.yahoo.com/top-25-free-agent-targets-113012101.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Any of the TEs would help. Dalton Shultz can do it all effectively Chase Young on a prove it deal would be awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Just an FYI....I am 12 teams away from being done with this. It will be more helpful than these lists. Willing to take any suggestions. I put players I am most interested in, in green. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_oGEDBZnU6LESfPLyD8apeXSKI-OJ4Z8IWYd7YcnAsM/edit?usp=sharing Bengals stats will need updated as well. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Here's an idea ... Bengals tag Tee ... Chiefs tag Chris Jones Then they are traded straight up for one another. (I've heard conflicting things that Chris Jones got the Chiefs to agree not to tag him again and other sources saying he didn't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 25 minutes ago, MichaelWeston said: Just an FYI....I am 12 teams away from being done with this. It will be more helpful than these lists. Willing to take any suggestions. I put players I am most interested in, in green. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_oGEDBZnU6LESfPLyD8apeXSKI-OJ4Z8IWYd7YcnAsM/edit?usp=sharing Bengals stats will need updated as well. That spreadsheet is fantastic reading. Great job as usual. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 4 minutes ago, BlackJesus said: Here's an idea ... Bengals tag Tee ... Chiefs tag Chris Jones Then they are traded straight up for one another. (I've heard conflicting things that Chris Jones got the Chiefs to agree not to tag him again and other sources saying he didn't). Rather keep Tee. Bengals will grab a big NT somewhere. Can't just grab a Tee type and our receiving unit is THIN. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 13 minutes ago, BlackJesus said: Here's an idea ... Bengals tag Tee ... Chiefs tag Chris Jones Then they are traded straight up for one another. (I've heard conflicting things that Chris Jones got the Chiefs to agree not to tag him again and other sources saying he didn't). What I am currently reading is they wont tag him due to salary cap issues. Jones wants to be paid, Tee wants to be paid. Someone on their team is going to have to restructure or they arent keeping Jones or signing Tee (also they likely going to lose Sneed) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 35 minutes ago, claptonrocks said: Can't just grab a Tee type Brian Thomas @ 18 😏 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 43 minutes ago, claptonrocks said: That spreadsheet is fantastic reading. Great job as usual. Appreciate it. I think it's great for conversation because you can see all the guys right next to each other. My biases certainly come in so if you see something I could adjust please don't hesitate. Right now I just want all the details in there. Then I will add bengals players. Then I will add coaching connections. One thing I am just realizing. Dolphins are 42 million over the cap and have a ridiculous amount of free agents. i am sure they will figure it out but its certainly messy Blue are UFAs, Green R/EFAs QB Tagovailoa 25 White 25 Thompson 26 3 RB Mostert 25 Achane 27 Wilson 25 Brooks 26 4 Ahmed 24 FB Ingold 27 1 WR Waddle 26 Wilson 24 Chosen 24 3 WR Hill 27 Cracraft 24 2 Ezukanma 26 WR Berrios 24 Claypool 24 2 TE Smythe 26 Hill 26 Kroft 24 3 LT Armstead 27 Smith 25 2 LG Cotton 25 1 Wynn 24 C Eichenberg 25 Harrison 24 2 RG Hunt 24 Jones 24 2 Williams 24 RT Jackson 27 Lamm 24 2 K Sanders 27 1 P Bailey 24 1 LS Ferguson 27 1 LE Sieler 27 1 NT Davis 24 1 Van Ginkel 24 DE Wilkins 24 Hand 24 2 Phillips 26 OLB Ogbah 26 Houston 24 2 Chubb 28 ILB Long 25 Munson 24 2 Baker 25 ILB Riley 25 Tindall 26 2 Goode 25 OLB Ingram 24 Irvin 24 2 Vandenbaugh 26 S Elliott 24 Campbell 24 2 S Holland 25 Jones 24 2 CB Howard 27 Apple 24 2 CB Ramsey 27 Smith 27 2 NB Kohou 25 Needham 24 Bethel 24 3 53 Crossen 25 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 16 minutes ago, spicoli said: Brian Thomas @ 18 😏 😔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 2 hours ago, claptonrocks said: Chase Young on a prove it deal would be awesome. Isn't he "proving it" on a defensive line ready to head to a SB? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 34 minutes ago, Le Tigre said: Isn't he "proving it" on a defensive line ready to head to a SB? Yes...😞 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 1 hour ago, claptonrocks said: 😔 Oh it’s coming….better prepare yourself 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 8 minutes ago, spicoli said: Oh it’s coming….better prepare yourself Yes.. LeTigre saw to that..😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 2 minutes ago, claptonrocks said: Yes.. LeTigre saw to that..😎 Thomas or Odunze 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 2 minutes ago, spicoli said: Thomas or Odunze Odunze for me.. Not on Harrisons level but close. And you? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 I think they’ll both be extremely good but I like the LSU connection, personally. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 3 hours ago, Jamie_B said: What I am currently reading is they wont tag him due to salary cap issues. Jones wants to be paid, Tee wants to be paid. Someone on their team is going to have to restructure or they arent keeping Jones or signing Tee (also they likely going to lose Sneed) Jones is a great player, no doubt. But like DJ Reader, he's gonna turn 30 this year, and he's an interior DL with some wear and tear. He'll want big money and a multi-year deal, which I get. But I wouldn't at this stage. ... I have hopes for DJ coming back, depending on his rehab and there are DT out there that won't demand that kind of coin who will be available for less money who are younger. Not the same impact in the short term, understandably, but they got Ogunjobi on a short-term deal and there will be some vets out there that are upgrades over Zack Carter, plus guys they can look at in the draft. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 3 minutes ago, texbengal said: Jones is a great player, no doubt. But like DJ Reader, he's gonna turn 30 this year, and he's an interior DL with some wear and tear. He'll want big money and a multi-year deal, which I get. But I wouldn't at this stage. ... I have hopes for DJ coming back, depending on his rehab and there are DT out there that won't demand that kind of coin who will be available for less money who are younger. Not the same impact in the short term, understandably, but they got Ogunjobi on a short-term deal and there will be some vets out there that are upgrades over Zack Carter, plus guys they can look at in the draft. Someone is going to pay Jones, but he wont be on a championship team again. I want Reader back on a 3 year deal, I just don't know if that happens. I also want to draft his replacement so we have a guy ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 49 minutes ago, claptonrocks said: Yes.. LeTigre saw to that..😎 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claptonrocks Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 21 minutes ago, texbengal said: Jones is a great player, no doubt. But like DJ Reader, he's gonna turn 30 this year, and he's an interior DL with some wear and tear. He'll want big money and a multi-year deal, which I get. But I wouldn't at this stage. ... I have hopes for DJ coming back, depending on his rehab and there are DT out there that won't demand that kind of coin who will be available for less money who are younger. Not the same impact in the short term, understandably, but they got Ogunjobi on a short-term deal and there will be some vets out there that are upgrades over Zack Carter, plus guys they can look at in the draft. On Reader. What would you offer him? That's my hangup.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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