A Very Bengals-esque Offseason

[*ochocincos*]

Cuts - Geno Atkins, Gio Bernard, BJ Finney, Austin Seibert, Bobby Hart (post-draft)

Key re-signings: Carl Lawson, Quinton Spain, Mackensie Alexander, Brandon Wilson, Clark Harris, Kevin Huber

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FA (nothing overly exciting-all role players):
Josh Reynolds, WR LAR - Reynolds has familiarity with Taylor when he was QB Coach with the Rams. Reynolds is a great option for WR3 in this offense. He has a good blend of size, speed, and production to play opposite of Higgins on the outside with Boyd in the slot. 618 yards as WR3 in LA this year behind Woods and Kupp.

BJ Goodson, LB CLE - A solid vet ILB who had 91 tackles, 6 PDs, 2 INTs, and 2 TFLs with the Browns this year. Goodson is basically a somewhat better version of Josh Bynes. The Bengals need a better stopgap than Bynes while Pratt, Wilson, ADG, and Bailey continue to grow.

Solomon Thomas, DL SF - Redemption project who was a former Top 5 pick.  People thought he was going to be the next Aaron Donald. Thomas has been ineffective in SF's scheme where he's been primarily playing 3-4 DE, but he's best suited at 3T. Thomas can battle it out with a draft pick for pass rushing IDL reps.

Jameis Winston, QB NO - Winston I think gets a bad rap for the timely mistakes he made as a starter, but I still think he's one of the better options to back up Burrow on the cheap. He's better than Allen and Finley. Winston as Burrow's backup was also mentioned by Adam Schefter.

FA kicker - There will be plenty of FA kickers available. Pick one.

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Draft:
1-1 (JAX) - Lawrence
1-2 (NYJ) - Sewell
1-3 - CAR trades their 1st, 3rd (72), and next year's 1st with MIA to move up from 8 to 3 to get their QB of choice ahead of ATL. MIA now has picks 8, 18, 36, 50, 73, and 82 within the first 3 rounds.
1-4 (ATL) - ATL takes Fields or Wilson, whichever remains. They could also go Surtain or Parsons, as they need defense bad.
1-5 - With Sewell off the board and all the WRs still there, MIA trades up from 8 to 5 with CIN to get their pass catcher of choice ahead of PHI, who many are mocking taking a WR. MIA also sends pick 50, giving the Bengals an extra 2nd rounder. They have a ton of picks, so a trade-up makes sense.

1-8) Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech (6'5", 314 lb) - CIN still wants an OT to replace Hart, and they get the next best guy in the draft in Darrisaw after a slight trade back. Darrisaw performed very well in 2020, boosting his stock. He has all the measurables you want in an OT in the NFL. Bringing in Darrisaw allows the Bengals to move on from Hart. Darrisaw also has the athleticism to fit in a zone blocking scheme along with the size and nastiness that Pollack prefers.

2) Christian Barmore, IDL Alabama (6'5", 310 lb) - Barmore had a Quinnen Williams type of season rushing from the inside. He has the size to not only dominate as a 4-3 DT but also play 3-4 DE. Barmore would be the replacement for Atkins with newly-added reclamation project Solomon Thomas backing him up. He may not make it to 38 though, but there are a couple other IDL guys I'd take at this spot if Barmore is gone.

2-50) Asante Samuel Jr, CB Florida St (5'10", 184 lb) - Guy reminds me a lot of his father, who was a great CB in the NFL. ASJ can play both outside and slot, and he has the speed and coverage ability to stick to receivers. Also willing and aggressive defending the run. With WJ3 leaving in FA, Samuel has a great chance to earn a starting spot right away. I think ASJ will be here, as some will have him labeled as only a slot guy, and no slot receiver has been taken inside the Top 50 before (or so I read).

3) Deonte Brown, OG Alabama (6'4", 350 lb) - A load of a man who can play both OG spots, most recently playing LG. Didn't allow a sack in his collegiate career. I like him to man the RG spot and just bully people. It's hard to get around him and it's near impossible to push him back. He's athletic for his size, but he may be able to get even more athletic if he can drop about 20-25 lbs.

4) Charles Snowden, EDGE Virginia (6'7", 235 lb) - This guy needs to bulk up, but he has incredible length, which helps him stuff the run, rush the passer, and defend in coverage. It helps that Snowden has been used as an off-ball LB, making him a versatile piece like what Anarumo wants in his edge guys. He can also get his long arms into throwing lanes, making it difficult for the QB when he can't get to him. Snowden can rotate with Lawson and Hubbard while he bulks up. This guy might have a lower floor than some other guys who might fall, but I think he has a ton of potential, and could end up being a Day 3 steal.

5) Tyree Gillespie, SS Mizzou (6'0", 210 lb) - Dude is a hitter with solid speed. With Shawn Williams likely departing in FA, I think Gillespie would be a good backup SS behind Bell. Gillespie also should be good on ST too, which will be needed.

6) Deommodore Lenoir, CB Oregon (5'11", 202 lb) - Depth CB who has experience in zone coverage. Lenoir can take one of those last two CB spots.

7) Matt Bushman, TE BYU (6'5", 240 lb) - TE who can catch and block. Put up 125 receptions for 1719 yards and 9 TDs in 36 games. He's already 25 years old though, so he's probably who he will be. He is a willing blocker but would be even better if he can add on 5-10 lbs.

7-SEA trade) JD Spielman, WR/RS TCU (5'9", 180 lb) - Slot receiver and PR to replace Erickson.