PFF Free Agency Preview

[bengals1969]

(02-11-2020, 02:27 PM)Speedy Thomas Wrote: Some pretty interesting stuff.  I did not realize our guards were so bad.  What do you think of their recommended cuts and additions?

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Projected cap space: $44.7 million

Players to target: CB Byron Jones, G Joe Thuney, TE Hunter Henry

Soon-to-be unrestricted free agents: WR A.J. Green, DI Andrew Billings, CB Darqueze Dennard, TE Tyler Eifert, S Clayton Fejedelem, T John Jerry, LB Nick Vigil

Potential cuts: T Cordy Glenn (saves $9.5 million in 2020), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (saves $8.4 million in 2020), QB Andy Dalton (saves $17.7 million in 2020)

Since Cincinnati didn’t trade wide receiver A.J. Green at the in-season deadline, it’d be hard to imagine them letting him walk in free agency. A long-term deal or the franchise tag is destined to happen. He hasn’t stepped on the field since Week 13 of 2018, but we have to recognize how great of a player Green is when healthy. Even with not playing the past year and a half, Green still ranks fourth in deep receiving yards (20-plus yard targets) and is tied for first in deep touchdowns since coming into the league in 2011. He’s exactly who Joe Burrow needs, and he should be a priority for Cincinnati this offseason. Cordy Glenn and Dre Kirkpatrick both had limited time on the field in their 2019 seasons due to injury, and if Cincinnati is serious about winning immediately, they would cut both to bring in an extra $18 million to make some plays. In two of the past three seasons, Darqueze Dennard has been one of the top 10 slot corners in PFF coverage grade. Cincinnati can bring him back for a low cost and form a nice secondary with him, William Jackson III, Darius Phillips and, perhaps, Byron Jones to replace Kirkpatrick. Among all 32 NFL teams, the Bengals' offensive guards were 30th in overall grade and 31st in pass-protection, where they lost more than any team. Signing Joe Thuney, who owns the third best two-year pass-blocking grade at the position, would certainly help.

This is a unique time for the front office.  They have a lousy team.  They have big contracts they can dump with no cap hit.  They have a huge war chest for sigining FA's.  They pick at the top of the draft 7 straight rounds. 


Ideal opportunity to overhaul the team with new starters in each position group.

Billings and Dennard should be targeted to re-sign, the others gone, especially Glenn.
Glenn, Kirkpatrick, Dalton should be gone via trade or cuts.
Green is a tough one if healthy.  The Green we knew is likely gone so what's the market for a healthy 32 WR?  I can't see tagging him at the high salary for a tag.  He can probably be brought back on a 2 year deal that is reasonable and full of incentives to achieve top 5 pay.  After all Burrows needs a healthy Green.  Unhealthy Green has to be cut.