My cut and add FA mock

[Luvnit2]

We have 44 million in cap space without a Burrow restructure. I propose we cut Rankins (+9 million to cap), Cappa (+8.5 million to cap) Hubbard (+8.5 million to cap), Stone (+5 million) and Moss (4 million) = new cap 2025 of 83 million

Rankins target Milton Williams DT Eagles - 3 years 36 million (8 million cap hit year 1)
Sign Tee Higgins - 4 years 100 million, 52 guaranteed and cap hit year 1 of 14 million
Extend Chase - 5 years 170 million with 120 million guaranteed (Cap hit year 1 of 26 million or + 5 million in 2025)EDITED FROM OP
Extend Trey - 3 years 77 million and 50 million guaranteed- year 1 additional 7 million
Sign Gesicki for 3 years 15 million with 7 million guaranteed - year 1 3.5 million hit
Sign BJ Hill - 2 years 17 million with 9 million guaranteed - cap hit of 8 million 2025
Cappa - Target Becton - 4 years 50 million with 26 guaranteed - cap hit 8 million 2025
Safety - Target Reid - 4 years 80 million 50 guaranteed - cap hit 13 million year 1

64.5 million spent of 83 million - Does not include Joe B. Restructure, but would need FO to kick some cap to 2026 to 2029

Use Draft
Jackson - LG
Walker/Burch - Hubbard
Henderson for Moss

Here is my draft with no trades.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2025/user-mock-5613232

17 Jalon WalkerEDGE | Georgia

49Donovan JacksonIOL | Ohio State

81 TreVeyon HendersonRB | Ohio State

118 Jordan BurchDL | Oregon

154Lander BartonLB | Utah

195 Hollin PierceOT | Rutgers

[SunsetBengal]

That's a pretty good plan, very well thought out and addressing most current areas of concern with the roster. The only thing that I would suggest is having at least two options for each free agent/draft pick, as you never know when another team will jump out of nowhere and ruin your carefully laid plan.

[schroomytunes]

I like most of it, so with using your formula of 44 million w/o a restructure of JoeyB, and your cuts of ( Moss, Rankins, Hubbard, Cappa) I actually keep Stone as our Safety room is pretty bare we should have @74 million in cap space. So using your guys and mine I would go:

Yours:

1) Milton Williams- DT 3/36
2) Tee
3) Trey
4) Chase
5) Geisicki
6) Becton-RG 4/50

- I would pass on BJ Hill after signing Milton Williams, and look for a cheaper S than Reid. So with Hill/Reid money @ 20 million I would add:

Mine:

1) Klavion Chaisson- DE/Edge 2/10
2) Khalil Herbert- 2/5
3) Trevon Moerig-S 3/27

- These guys fill holes and are solid adds to the roster in areas of needs to allow us to keep the big 4.

Draft:
1) Jalon Walker- Edge- Georgia
2) Tate Ratledge- Guard- Georgia
3) Alfred Collins- DT- Texas
4) Terrance Ferguson- TE- Oregon
5) Raheim Sanders - RB- S.Carolina
6) Hunter Wohler- S- Wisconsin

[pulses]

(02-10-2025, 03:36 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We have 44 million in cap space without a Burrow restructure. I propose we cut Rankins (+9 million to cap), Cappa (+8.5 million to cap) Hubbard (+8.5 million to cap), Stone (+5 million) and Moss (4 million) = new cap 2025 of 83 million

Rankins target Milton Williams DT Eagles - 3 years 36 million (8 million cap hit year 1)
Sign Tee Higgins - 4 years 100 million, 52 guaranteed and cap hit year 1 of 14 million
Extend Chase - 5 years 145 million with 110 million guaranteed (Cap hit year 1 of 26 million or + 5 million in 2025)
Extend Trey - 3 years 77 million and 50 million guaranteed- year 1 additional 7 million
Sign Gesicki for 3 years 15 million with 7 million guaranteed - year 1 3.5 million hit
Sign BJ Hill - 2 years 17 million with 9 million guaranteed - cap hit of 8 million 2025
Cappa - Target Becton - 4 years 50 million with 26 guaranteed - cap hit 8 million 2025
Safety - Target Reid - 4 years 80 million 50 guaranteed - cap hit 13 million year 1

64.5 million spent of 83 million - Does not include Joe B. Restructure, but would need FO to kick some cap to 2026 to 2029

Use Draft
Jackson - LG
Walker/Burch - Hubbard
Henderson for Moss

Here is my draft with no trades.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2025/user-mock-5613232

17 Jalon WalkerEDGE | Georgia

49Donovan JacksonIOL | Ohio State

81 TreVeyon HendersonRB | Ohio State

118 Jordan BurchDL | Oregon

154Lander BartonLB | Utah

195 Hollin PierceOT | Rutgers

Milton Williams is one of the top DT's on the FA market gonna take more than 12 IMO. Gonna be a lot of suitors for his services.

[Hammerstripes]

Like it, but I do think that those free agent salary numbers are pretty low. I don't see any way that Tee signs a deal that is for only $25 million per year. Also think Williams will get much more than $12 million per as well as BJ getting more than that. Quality starters usually demand more than they are worth in free agency.

[SunsetBengal]

(Yesterday, 12:32 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Like it, but I do think that those free agent salary numbers are pretty low.  I don't see any way that Tee signs a deal that is for only $25 million per year.  Also think Williams will get much more than $12 million per as well as BJ getting more than that.  Quality starters usually demand more than they are worth in free agency.

The OP is just going off of the stated market values listed on Spotrac. However, I could definitely foresee Williams getting $15M+, as he's a young player, I think the $9M value they have assigned to Hill is pretty close to accurate.

[*Synric*]

(Yesterday, 02:11 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The OP is just going off of the stated market values listed on Spotrac. However, I could definitely foresee Williams getting $15M+, as he's a young player, I think the $9M value they have assigned to Hill is pretty close to accurate.

How teams view Milton Williams in Free Agency is going to be interesting. Excellent pass rushing IDL but if a teams gives him close to 20m that means he will be a 70%/80% snap guy for a guy that's never taken 50% of the snaps in his career. He will have to become an impact run defender on the interior to justify a massive paycheck.


Edit: Will Fries is another. He looked really good in 250 snaps in 2024 but in the 1500 snaps before that he was very inconsistent.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 12:32 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Like it, but I do think that those free agent salary numbers are pretty low.  I don't see any way that Tee signs a deal that is for only $25 million per year.  Also think Williams will get much more than $12 million per as well as BJ getting more than that.  Quality starters usually demand more than they are worth in free agency.

Just a reminder, I said Bengals FO needs to push cap dollars into the future. I gave 2025 numbers realizing Bengals may use signing bonuses and/or other methods to calculate my projected cap hits. We have 221 million in cap space in 2026, so in 2026 the team can absorb more cap dollars than in 2025.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 02:44 PM)Synric Wrote: How teams view Milton Williams in Free Agency is going to be interesting. Excellent pass rushing IDL but if a teams gives him close to 20m that means he will be a 70%/80% snap guy for a guy that's never taken 50% of the snaps in his career. He will have to become an impact run defender on the interior to justify a massive paycheck.


Edit: Will Fries is another. He looked really good in 250 snaps in 2024 but in the 1500 snaps before that he was very inconsistent.

I think there are a number of options (I did not list them) at OG, Safety, DT and other positions. I agree Fries would be a nice option and a lot less than Becton for example.

[coachmcneil71]

(02-10-2025, 03:36 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: We have 44 million in cap space without a Burrow restructure. I propose we cut Rankins (+9 million to cap), Cappa (+8.5 million to cap) Hubbard (+8.5 million to cap), Stone (+5 million) and Moss (4 million) = new cap 2025 of 83 million

Rankins target Milton Williams DT Eagles - 3 years 36 million (8 million cap hit year 1)
Sign Tee Higgins - 4 years 100 million, 52 guaranteed and cap hit year 1 of 14 million
Extend Chase - 5 years 145 million with 110 million guaranteed (Cap hit year 1 of 26 million or + 5 million in 2025)
Extend Trey - 3 years 77 million and 50 million guaranteed- year 1 additional 7 million
Sign Gesicki for 3 years 15 million with 7 million guaranteed - year 1 3.5 million hit
Sign BJ Hill - 2 years 17 million with 9 million guaranteed - cap hit of 8 million 2025
Cappa - Target Becton - 4 years 50 million with 26 guaranteed - cap hit 8 million 2025
Safety - Target Reid - 4 years 80 million 50 guaranteed - cap hit 13 million year 1

64.5 million spent of 83 million - Does not include Joe B. Restructure, but would need FO to kick some cap to 2026 to 2029

Use Draft
Jackson - LG
Walker/Burch - Hubbard
Henderson for Moss

Here is my draft with no trades.

https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/user-mock-drafts/2025/user-mock-5613232

17 Jalon WalkerEDGE | Georgia

49Donovan JacksonIOL | Ohio State

81 TreVeyon HendersonRB | Ohio State

118 Jordan BurchDL | Oregon

154Lander BartonLB | Utah

195 Hollin PierceOT | Rutgers

Well done! Wtbs, the one thing that stands out to me and has already been mentioned by bfine is that Golden runs his D through the LBs. I expect them to draft at least two LBs and possibly sign one in FA. It's going to depend on how Goldens conversation/meeting with Pratt goes. 

Still, I like what you have done here. It's moving in a positive direction. 

[Clark W Griswold]

Is my math bad or is that only $29 million/year for Chase?
That’s too low. Jefferson got $35 million/year so I would think the Chase negotiations start at $36 million/year. The Bengals are going to pay dearly for not getting his extension done last off season. I expect him to want and get “QB money”…

If I am Chase’s agent I would start out asking for 40 million per year and work down from there. I’m not that knowledgeable on the guaranteed $ part of it but they are also going to have to go way above their comfort zone for Chase.

[J24]

(Yesterday, 02:44 PM)Synric Wrote: How teams view Milton Williams in Free Agency is going to be interesting. Excellent pass rushing IDL but if a teams gives him close to 20m that means he will be a 70%/80% snap guy for a guy that's never taken 50% of the snaps in his career. He will have to become an impact run defender on the interior to justify a massive paycheck.


Edit: Will Fries is another. He looked really good in 250 snaps in 2024 but in the 1500 snaps before that he was very inconsistent.

To further your point, this was Milton's first season with 40 pressures(according pff) and his first season with a pass rush win rate over 12( according to PFF). He also plays next to Jalen Carter which helps him out some.

Its also interesting to note that the Bengals were really high on him during the draft process.

[Luvnit2]

(Yesterday, 04:08 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Is my math bad or is that only $29 million/year for Chase?
That’s too low. Jefferson got $35 million/year so I would think the Chase negotiations start at $36 million/year.   The Bengals are going to pay dearly for not getting his extension done last off season. I expect him to want and get “QB money”…

If I am Chase’s agent I would start out asking for 40 million per year and work down from there.  I’m not that knowledgeable on the guaranteed $ part of it but they are also going to have to go way above their comfort zone for Chase.

The number for Chase is extending him 4 years. He makes 21.9 million in 2025 which brings down the 5 year average. The extensions would be 4 years at 124 million, so 31 million average per year.

Yes, that may be low. I edited the contract both dollars and guaranteed money for Chase. It did not alter the cap hit for 2025.

[Clark W Griswold]

(9 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: The number for Chase is extending him 4 years. He makes 21.9 million in 2025 which brings down the 5 year average. The extensions would be 4 years at 124 million, so 31 million average per year.

Yes, that may be low.

Got it but yes I think that’s at least 4-5 million per year low, unfortunately. Shame they could have saved a lot of $ and cap space if they would have got it done last off season.

[Luvnit2]

(8 hours ago)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Got it but yes I think that’s at least 4-5 million per year low, unfortunately.  Shame they could have saved a lot of $ and cap space if they would have got it done last off season.

I am not a look in the mirror guy on things I can't change. You may be correct, but it won't change anything now. We can't go back and fix it.

[pulses]

(Yesterday, 03:27 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I think there are a number of options (I did not list them) at OG, Safety, DT and other positions. I agree Fries would be a nice option and a lot less than Becton for example.

Some are projecting Fries to get over 14/yr. Not sure one year of health is gonna get Becton that kinda money TBH.

[pulses]

(Yesterday, 02:11 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The OP is just going off of the stated market values listed on Spotrac. However, I could definitely foresee Williams getting $15M+, as he's a young player, I think the $9M value they have assigned to Hill is pretty close to accurate.

I agree I  see Williams getting somewhere in the 15-18/yr range and someone will pay it.

[SunsetBengal]

(8 hours ago)pulses Wrote: I agree I  see Williams getting somewhere in the 15-18/yr range and someone will pay it.

Yes, Williams had a great season and really nice Superbowl game. However, many people think that you can just take a guy and insert him on any team and expect the same results. What people seem to forget is that Philly's front four operated as a well oiled machine all season because they were assembled of different parts with specific roles. You can't just "insert" a Milton Williams into any DL and expect the same results, you have to provide him with a no-fooling run stuffer next to him, in order for him to be free wheeling and out for QB sacks/pressures.

I like our 2 young DTs, I wonder if a guy like Williams would enhance their development by being an aggressive force that allows them to focus on their primary assignments, or a detriment because they would neglect their primary duties and try to emulate his style? 

[pulses]

(6 hours ago)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yes, Williams had a great season and really nice Superbowl game. However, many people think that you can just take a guy and insert him on any team and expect the same results. What people seem to forget is that Philly's front four operated as a well oiled machine all season because they were assembled of different parts with specific roles. You can't just "insert" a Milton Williams into any DL and expect the same results, you have to provide him with a no-fooling run stuffer next to him, in order for him to be free wheeling and out for QB sacks/pressures.

I like our 2 young DTs, I wonder if a guy like Williams would enhance their development by being an aggressive force that allows them to focus on their primary assignments, or a detriment because they would neglect their primary duties and try to emulate his style? 

If it would enhance their development I would be all for signing him.

[SunsetBengal]

(5 hours ago)pulses Wrote: If it would enhance their development I would be all for signing him.

That's the thing with younger players, you don't know if his presence will enhance their development or delay it for them, from attempting to emulate his style of play. No matter what, this DL needs a long time veteran anchoring the locker room, bringing in a younger talent like Williams would be great and inspirational for all, but you still need that calming voice to convince the younger guys to stay in their lane until the time is right.