Pac-man says Bengals are close to signing Jensen to a 3 year $39 million deal

[*ochocincos*]

(03-07-2022, 03:20 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: That's unfortunately how free agency works. Some guys get overpaid. Then, you wait out the big spending and can sometimes get value.

Center...with only 2-3 good ones, likely will be red water trying to sign one of the top ones.

I guess I don't find C to be such a pressing need that the Bengals need to overspend for one.

Here are the starting-caliber C's I see in FA:

• Jensen
• Ben Jones
• Bozeman
• Brian Allen
• Nick Martin
• Mason Cole
• James Daniels
  

Nick Martin is very similar to Hopkins (good pass block, bad run). Cole is kind of the opposite.
James Daniels hasn't been playing C with the Bears but did come into the draft as a C.

There are also a few C's from the draft that could end up starting and do at least ok.

• Linderbaum (duh)
• Dylan Parham
• Zion Johnson (was taking snaps at C at Senior Bowl)
• Alec Lindstrom
• Cam Jurgens
  

Given the Bengals already have Hopkins in place, I'd be ok with them sitting with Hopkins as the incumbent starter and possibly look to draft his long-term replacement. You can always look to move Hopkins to OG or release him if the draft pick comes along well out of the gate.