Here is the potential free agency list we should be using.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-08-2023, 04:22 AM)phil413 Wrote: https://www.google.com/amp/s/sportsnaut.com/nfl-salary-cap-casualties-2023/amp/

This may cause stress, but reality is that Cincy's best play may be playing the comp pick game.  The best short and long term plan is to use a heavy chunk of this year's money on locking in most of your core 2024 free agents.  These guys in the link won't offset comp picks if they hit the market. This may enable them to make trades of picks knowing they'll be restocked.


Bates leaves along with a few others, and without much to use you're hoping for a few vets to ring chase.  I doubt they pay going rates for UFAs when they can keep their own.  

A tackle like Donovan Smith may make sense to give stability (even in a down year) to the line.  Maybe Kendricks softens the blow if Pratt leaves. I'm not saying avoid UFAs, bu th I am saying this may become the right play if the right fits come....if you have money after the 2024 guys.

Some may not like hearing it, but I wouldn't be surprised if this year they focus on retaining their own and drafting replacement starters/depth.

They have the following starting positions set:
QB (Burrow)
C (Karras)
OG (Cappa, Volson)
WR (Chase, Higgins, Boyd)
DL (Hubbard, Hendrickson, Hill, Reader)
1 LB (Wilson)
CB (CTB, Awuzie, Hilton)

RB starter can be set too with Mixon, or he could be a cut candidate to replace with a draft pick and/or cheaper veteran and repurpose that money elsewhere
OT starters MIGHT be set between Williams, Carman, and Collins. I would expect at least one of those guys will start, if not two.
I have a feeling Dax Hill will take one of the starting safety spots, leaving just one spot open.

If the Bengals can re-sign Bates or Bell, that likely covers the starting safeties
If Hurst is re-signed, that covers starting TE. Alternatively, I think a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick can start at TE.
If Pratt is not re-signed, I think the Bengals might try to fill that void with ADG/Bailey, but I could also see a LB added for competition there.
Apple is a guy I could see back who can be the first CB off the bench, probably start again until Awuzie is ready.

Assuming the Bengals can get one of the safeties plus Hurst and Pratt back, they'll be in pretty good shape to draft BPA and really boost their depth without having to find a Day 1 Starter.