The Bengals 2020 Offseason Interim Report

It is no secret the Cincinnati Bengals had an abysmal 2019 season, where they tied a franchise worst record at 2-14. Even with a historically bad season, the Bengals did not let that stop them from coming out and changing the way things were done during the offseason. With all of the doom and gloom from last year, things are beginning to look up for the Bengals heading into Zac Taylor’s second season as head coach. The offseason has been one full of intrigue and optimism, now that the NFL Draft has come and gone. Let’s take a look at the Bengals offseason and how they have graded out so far.

Offseason/Free Agency

Aside from getting a top linebacker, the Cincinnati Bengals hit a home run this offseason in free agency. For the first time in the organization’s history, the Bengals have splurged in free agency, spending upwards of $145 million dollars on new players. The Bengals have been notorious in being non-players but the last offseason showed the Bengals were willing to do more than spend on their own players. So far, 2020 is a complete 180 from what everyone is accustomed to. The mission this offseason was to completely overhaul a defense that ranked 28th in total defense in 2019. Overhaul is what they did, bringing six new defensive players, including two of the top free agents on the market in defensive tackle D.J. Reader, cornerback Trae Waynes and safety Vonn Bell.

According to reports, Reader was the Bengals top target this offseason and the Bengals got their man. With the influx of new player contracts, the Bengals had to make moves to prevent from rocketing past the salary cap. Gone were two free agents the Bengals signed last offseason in guard John Miller and cornerback B.W. Webb. The Bengals also released veteran cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, who spent all of his eight NFL seasons with the Bengals and tackle Cordy Glenn. The Bengals were able to free up some cap space to bring in the wealth of free agent talent. There are still some more moves that are expected, which will in turn open up some more cap space. Quarterback Andy Dalton is slated to make $17 million this season and is one the Bengals are expected to trade or release the veteran signal caller.

The Bengals change in philosophy during free agency helped fill holes and opened the possibility for a different direction during the draft. The Bengals can focus on the offensive side of the football. Director of Player Personal, Duke Tobin, has stated the team might not be done completely in free agency as well so getting out from under the Dalton contract is crucial for the Bengals and how they will be moving forward.

Grade: A-

Draft

The draft comes down to three simple letters, JFB. Joe Freakin’ Burrow has been tagged as a can’t miss quarterback prospect and one that will lead an organization for many years. Reportedly Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals turned down numerous trade attempts and made him their guy with the number one overall pick in the draft. Burrow had arguably the greatest season in college football history, as he led the LSU Tigers to a National Championship. Now Burrow will be expected to bring the same moxy and swagger to the Bengals huddle from day one. The talent surrounding Burrow on the offensive side should make Burrow smile but the Bengals went out and selected Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins with the 33rd pick. The Bengals chose to give Burrow another nice weapon to throw to. Higgins grew up a Bengals fan and would receive grief from his Clemson teammates. Now Higgins gets the last laugh as he gets to line up along side his idol, A.J. Green. Higgins and Burrow reportedly worked out together during the offseason to prepare for the draft, so the chemistry is already somewhat there. Higgins hauled in 27 receiving touchdowns in his three seasons at Clemson and is an outstanding pass catcher. The next three picks, the Bengals used to address the defensive overhaul, selecting linebackers Logan Wilson from Wyoming and Akeem Davis-Gaither from Appalachian State.

A four year starter at Wyoming, Wilson is an outstanding ball hawking linebacker with great instincts. At Wyoming, he finished with 253 solo tackles and 421 total tackles and of those total tackles, 35 of those were for a loss. Wilson also added 10 interceptions. The second linebacker taken, Davis-Gaither was one of the top linebackers in the Sun Belt Conference. ADG uses great speed to help him get around the field and can get to the quarterback in many ways. As is accustomed with the later round picks, they are used for depth. That was the approach for Taylor, Tobin and the Bengals staff in this draft. The fifth round pick by the Bengals was for edge rusher Khalid Kareem from Notre Dame. Kareem will provide solid depth on the defensive line, especially at the edge, where the Bengals are thin. Another solid depth pick for the Bengals in the fifth round. The sixth round pick saw the Bengals take Hakeem Adeniji, an offensive lineman from Kansas. The Bengals offensive line is not in dire straits like some believe. Taylor and his coaching staff certainly feel the line is in much better shape and was not an immediate need. That mentality explains why the Bengals waiting until the sixth round to take an offensive lineman. Adeniji is a 6’4″ 302 pound lineman who brings great versatility. Adeniji can play either guard or tackle and will give the coaching staff a nice option as he continues to develop. The final pick for the team saw another linebacker get selected. Markus Bailey, a linebacker from Purdue was third linebacker selected by the Bengals and very well could be one of the best picks in this draft. Bailey is very intelligent, which his instincts on the field show that. However, he does come with some significant injury concerns, so selecting him in the seventh round isn’t that big of a risk. This pick offers a low risk with a high reward. If Bailey can stay healthy, Zac Taylor and the Bengals will be thrilled with Bailey and what he can provide on the field.

Heading into the draft, the Bengals were very light at the linebacker position, so they addressed it. The Bengals passed up on a few players that would help fill some holes to select go defense in the third, fourth and fifth rounds. Wilson and ADG are expected to come in and start, with Bailey to compete for a starting spot as well. The Bengals have traditionally drafted well and that was the case this year. The Bengals have brought in quality talent on both sides of the ball, giving them another fantastic draft.