Bengals Offseason Needs NFL 2022: Free Agency And Draft Preview
I will be the first to admit that I didn’t think that the Bengals would be worth of damn this year. I thought they would have the same offensive line issues that got Joe Burrow injured. I was wrong and Ja’Marr Chase is working tremendously for them. The Bengals are back to being relevant in the NFL and should be feared for years to come. They even got more dangerous because they had the 4th most cap space in the NFL with a whopping $60 million. After some spending on their OL, they still have $13 million to play with at the moment. If you’re not fearing the Bengals yet, you should be. Especially after they address the Bengals offseason needs.
Bengals Free Agency
In free agency, they can really look at whoever they want. In a scarce OL free agency class, they can get the guys they want there. If not, this would be a great year to load up on some secondary in this class. There’s plenty to go around, and when you have as much money as the Bengals, you can really get the guys you want. I do think the Bengals should address their DT position with guys like Larry Ogunjobi already going to a new team. They will have to address that. I always thought the Bengals’ WR corps was underrated, and once they got Chase, a true #1, the rest of the WRs followed suit. I think to make this passing attack more dangerous, they should go buy a TE in free agency, there are plenty of names that have hit the market and with a need at TE, why not go get a premier one with your cap space. There are no limitations of what the Bengals can do with their cap situation. They can go get OL to help their promising QB, they can address the defense in the secondary. Make their passing attack more dangerous with a TE. Whatever they want to address the Bengals offseason needs.
Bengals Draft
In the draft, the Bengals will be picking later on in the 1st. They should be in a prime position to still take one of the better OT in the draft and they should. No matter what they do in free agency, bolstering up that line will be helpful for them. Guys like Trevor Penning or Nicholas Petit-Frere will still be there at this point, these wouldn’t be bad picks.
In the 2nd round, the Bengals have a couple of options here. If they had a hard time finding a DT in free agency and couldn’t retain their guys, Travon Walker might be a good pick here. Maybe a talented LB lands to them late in the 2nd like Christian Harris. They could address their TE need and get Jalen Wydermyer here. They can also be doubling up on OL and get a guard here. Maybe Lecitus Smith or old LSU teammate Ed Ingram. We know Burrow loves his guys, wouldn’t be surprised at an Ed Ingram pick here if he’s available.
In the 3rd, the Bengals could really pick up some solid defensive talent. The talent for defense in this draft is rich around the 3rd round range. That’s where I see more DT and LB going, both are needed for this Bengals team at the moment.
The Bengals might not be Super Bowl contenders YET, but I can’t say they’re not on track to getting there. Burrow is still young and this Bengals team is growing (rapidly I would say). This off-season can really propel them forward and get those Super Bowl hopes really going. Using their money wisely and nailing some gems in the draft could really make them the division winner in 2022 for the AFC North. They should be shaking in their boots because this division could very well become theirs.
