Ngakoue traded to Ravens...what could Bengals' players fetch?

[*ochocincos*]

(10-23-2020, 03:35 PM)TJHoushmandzadeh Wrote: I think they need to re-sign WJIII and Lawson. Otherwise they'd need a high draft pick to replace their production at what are both premium positions.

One of the first two picks needs to be on O-line, along with a stud free agency signing that should be enough to solidify the O-line. The other first/second round pick would need to be on the D-line. Maybe the back-up free agent could be a Edge rebound candidate - sort of like when they looked at Shaq Barrett a few years ago - and they draft pick an interior pass rusher to succeed Geno?

AJ, Alexander are easier to replace as 3rd WR and 3rd cornerback respectively and you could maybe find a mid-round speed receiver and a slot corner but there are other needs to consider there as well.  Safety is a huge need if you let both Shawn Williams and Brandon Wilson go as there's no depth there. You probably want to try and retain Brandon Wilson for STs anyway. He and the rest of the teams specialists shouldn't be particularly expensive and I'd look to retain them all except Erickson. If you're letting AJ Green, Ross and Erickson go then you probably re-sign Mike Thomas for depth. Higgins, Boyd, mid-round draft pick, Tate, Thomas, Morgan and maybe an extra FA. I think WR is a good position to target in FA because of the Burrow factor. Try and find a rebound candidate who wants to rebuild their value on a one year deal with Burrow throwing to them. Not only can they give you value for a year but if they succeed you get a nice compensatory pick at the end of it.

Other positions I'd like to address in the mid-rounds are TE, CB and O-line depth. Uzomah is expensive and injured which is a bad combination - might this be a good area to target in FA with the Burrow factor as well? We should get a look at Adeniji before the end of the year it would help if he was a viable back-up at OT but a swing tackle is probably required. CB badly needs some depth. They'll probably have to re-sign Sims for that reason but they should be looking for some developmental prospects at CB for the longer term anyway.

That means if they can move Green/Ross/Erickson/Dunlap/Atkins/S Williams/Alexander before the trade deadline then they need to do so, even if it involves eating salary. They need the extra draft capital to fill some more of those holes. Draftees will be cheaper than FA signings and will fit better into our window (FAs will generally be declining by Burrow's 3rd and 4th years; draft picks should be ascending by then).

Of course this assumes that suitable options are there in both FA and the draft and I haven't looked at names nor what positions are strong for either. It still feels like that would be largely running to stand still. We're a long way off being able to use the draft for BPA, which is what we should be using FA to put us in a position to do.

Uzomah is only the 17th highest paid TE in the league. I dunno if I'd worry too much about TE, as he'll basically have a full year to recover from his achilles injury and Sample will still be here. Uzomah was on pace to have a great season based on the yardage he gained the first two games.
I like Austin Ferguson from Wisconsin as a mid-round TE with receiving ability though.

I agree on re-signing WJ3, Lawson, and Wilson.
I'd also re-sign Clark Harris, Huber too for the right price.
I didn't realize this, but the Bengals have Austin Seibert for 3 more years after this, so they might view him as their K for next year. Seibert also punted in college.
The Bengals can use a late round pick or UDFA on a return specialist.


It may be worth getting a FA WR who can come on the cheaper end rather than need to invest a draft pick. Someone I'd love to have brought in who shouldn't cost too much is Josh Reynolds. Taylor is familiar with him, and he's better than Mike Thomas. He already has over 200 yards this season with LAC. He's a good fit for outside WR given his combo of size (6'3", 196 lb), speed (4.52), and skill set. He is faster than Higgins, Boyd, and Tate.

If the Bengals don't get a good FA for OG, I really hope they go OL in Rd 1. My preferences would be:
1) Sewell if available (not likely)
2) Alex Leatherwood - start at OG in 2021 and then move to RT in 2022
3) Wyatt Davis - long-time starter at RG

I really like the idea of an EDGE and DT both on Day 2.
Maybe re-sign Daniels for the right price to rotate with a DT draft pick.
The EDGE can rotate with Hubbard, Lawson, and Kareem.