Ben Cleveland

[*ochocincos*]

(10-17-2020, 11:22 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Fair. The unfilled holes are really the worst part.

I said in another thread that I think the Bengals just need to approach OL like the Reds are now approaching starting pitchers. Recognize that you can't draft and develop them for shit, so just go out and acquire them from other teams via FA or trade.

Trade 1 2nd rounder now or spend $ in FA now for a quality OL... or spend 3 1sts and a 2nd over a 5 year span to get 1 mediocre starter and 3 horrible busts that outright ruin seasons by playing.

Here's the breakdown of the highest-paid guys at each position this year on the Bengals OL:
Bobby Hart - $6.85 mill 
Trey Hopkins - $5.575 mill
Jonah Williams - $4 mill
Billy Price - $3.2 mill
Xavier Su'a-Filo - $2.27 mill

Every single OL is being paid outside the Top 10 at their position.

19 LTs make $10+ mill a year.
5 RTs make $10+ mill a year.
14 guards (includes both LG and RG) make $10+ mill a year.
9 centers make $10+ mill a year.

The Bengals can (and should) be able to pay 1-2 OL top-dollar to bolster this unit. 
Given Williams has another 3 years before he hits FA, the Bengals would have a window to pay two guards good money to come in and really turn this OL into a good unit.
If they just wanted to go with 1 in FA, they could draft a guard in Rd 1 to get the OL right.
Personally, I'd look to bring in Thuney (assuming he isn't tagged or re-signed) and draft Alex Leatherwood.
Thuney solidifies the LG spot. Leatherwood has a lot of versatility, as he has been a good RG for Alabama but also a good OT. The Bengals could either go with XSF at RG and Leatherwood at RT or Leatherwood at RG and Hart at RT.