Playoffs Mock

[*ochocincos*]

Note that by my estimates, the following should all be able to fit within next year's projected cap.
Also, I have added two 4th-round comp picks, one the Bengals are expected to get for Carl Lawson and the other that is rumored to come from John Ross.

2022 NFL FA and Draft:
Estimated cap - $60 mill
Release Xavier Su'a-Filo +$3 mill = $63 mill
Release Trae Waynes +$11 mill = $74 mill

Re-sign:
Quinton Spain
CJ Uzomah
BJ Hill
Eli Apple

FA:
De'Vondre Campbell, LB GB - As much as I was hopeful for Germaine Pratt, he's just not where I'd hoped he'd be through his 3rd season. The Bengals could use an upgrade at LB to pair with Wilson, and I think Campbell is a great fit.

Brian Allen, C LAR - Allen has come on well for the Rams (5th best C on PFF), but he's not expected to command $10+ mill per year. He's projected to get around $7-8 mill. He grew up in IL and played college at MSU, so he's used to the midwest and playing outdoors. Another great thing - he's only 26!

Morgan Moses, RT NYJ - Improvement over Reiff. He's a couple years younger (will be 31 vs Reiff's 33) and also (somewhat) better both as a pass blocker and run blocker. Not as athletic as Reiff but very big and great length. One other big thing he has over Reiff is being able to stay healthy and consistent. Moses can be a good stopgap while a young guy develops behind. If the team chooses to instead re-sign Reiff, that's ok too, but I wouldn't give Reiff $10+ mill APY, which I think he'll be seeking since he can also play LT.
With Allen and Moses, the starting OL is set. The Bengals can keep Hopkins for his remaining year and use him either as the starting RG or first IOL off the bench for any interior spot.

Draft:
1) Daxton Hill, DB Michigan (6'0", 192 lb) - The epitome of a true FS. Hill can cover with the best of them. He's so good in coverage that he can even play some CB. Even though he's lighter than 200 lbs (which is Bates' size), he is a good, aggressive tackler and attacks in the run game too. Hill comes in as the immediate replacement for Bates, who departs in FA due to getting more money elsewhere.

2) Jaxson Kirkland, OT Washington (6'7", 310 lb) - Long, athletic OT who could use a NFL strength regimen to reach his potential. Not the kind of guy who would succeed in a power scheme that requires driving off the LOS, but he should fit well in a wide zone. Very sound in pass protection. He'd get the opportunity to act as a swing OT for a year or two due to veterans being in front of him, then he can (hopefully) take over at RT once he's refined. Kirkland also has experience playing OG, so he could play there immediately if wanting an upgrade inside.

3) Coby Bryant, CB UC (6'2", 185 lb) - I think that the Bengals will try to retain Apple because of how he's improved over the season, but the Bengals need more CBs, especially after likely letting Waynes go. Bryant can be that understudy to Chido and Apple, eventually growing into a starter outside.

4) Zachary Carter, DL Florida (6'4", 285 lb) - Versatile pass rusher who has played all across the DL. The Bengals can use Carter as a rotational pass rusher initially while they figure out his role long-term. I'd personally look to add some bulk on him and turn him into a menacing 3T. Some think he could go as early as Rd 3, but I think he could slip because some teams will see him as a tweener.

4comp1) Khalil Shakir, WR/RS Boise St (6'0", 187 lb) - A versatile guy who can replace Tate as the WR4. He has enough size to play outside, but he can also play slot. Also has some experience doing both PRs and KRs. While he may not light up the 40, he is a very good route runner with good hands and good at getting YAC.

4comp2) Jake Ferguson, TE Wisconsin (6'5", 244 lb) - Well-rounded TE who can block but also underrated as a pass catcher. Across 4 seasons in Wisconsin's run-heavy scheme, Ferguson put up 1618 yards and 13 TDs on 145 receptions (11.2 YPR). I see him similar to Uzomah or someone like Dalton Schultz and an improvement in the passing game over Sample.

5) Leddie Brown, RB WVU (5'11", 215 lb) - RB who can run and catch, putting up multiple seasons with 1000+ rushing yards and 30+ receptions. He's also been good as a pass blocker this past year according to PFF, one of the better ones in the class.

6) Smoke Monday, Safety Auburn (6'3", 200 lb) - Productive college safety who can be the new backup FS behind Hill. Has the size and speed to cover TEs.

7) Chris Owens, IOL Alabama (6'3", 305 lb) - Honestly just picked this guy because the team can always use more OL depth and he's played on a championship-caliber team. He has experience at multiple positions and could compete for a backup role, but he's probably never going to be a starter. I don't really care who the Bengals pick this late, the player likely isn't making the team anyway.