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Which high-end free agent should the Bengals decide to prioritize (pick one)?
Jonah Williams RT $16M – fills hole with a a known quantity
Justin Madubuike DT $22M - good improving player with huge year
Tee Higgins WR $20M – Keep him in the fold and happy.
Jaylon Johnson CB $20M – the best CB free agent and arguably in the league.
Brian Burns DE $22M – 45 sacks in 5 years
.. or someone else
My pick: A premier CB upgrades the whole DB room.
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Justin M from Baltimore would be an absolute coup if somehow the Ravens were stupid enough to let him test FA and the Bengals could fit his salary in. Dude plays the run and the pass very well and is young. Weakens a division defense, upgrades ours significantly.
I feel like Murphy is going to continue to improve. Of course, I also thought this of Ossai and that blew up in my face so... But anyway, I think we are fine on the ends, and interior rush would really make Hubbard and Murphy more effective.
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Justin Madubuike. We desperately need pass rush on the interior. Our pass rush currently consists of Trey Hendrickson and nobody else.
You can always trust an dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly, it's the honest ones you have to look out for.
"Winning makes believers of us all"-Paul Brown
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If the Bengals can sign Madubuike for 22 million, you do it. Only 26 years old just now coming into his own. Would love to have him as part of the Bengals defensive line.
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Other
Antoine Winfield JR FS Tampa.
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For me, my priority, with our roughly $70 mil in cap space, would be:
1) Higgins. Will tag if I have to, but main concern is getting the yearly cap hit lower. Will go more guaranteed $$ or more years to get it. Hopefully his poor year cools the market a bit.
2) Reader. Even with the injury, I go 3 years with no hesitation. But my overall number is probably closer to $10 mil a year than $15. Hopefully.
I am hoping to get Higgins & Reader done for half my cap ($35 mil) or less. $30 would be fantastic.
3) A defensive difference-maker in FA. My first swing would be at DT (Jones, Wilkins, Madubuike). If I whiff there, then I look at CBs or Winfield. Though I doubt the Bengals go that route, as it would nlbe admitting they should have paid Bates and/or giving up on Turner. Winfield is a much more versatile piece, however.
4) If I have $$ left, then I think about Chido/Boyd coming back. But Browning & Hudson absolutely need taken care of as well.
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I understand Synric's concerns about Madubuike and just the 1 year of production but he is still the dude I want the most right now.
Eluemunor would be my guy after him to fill RT.