Why didn't the Bengals add a proven RB in the offseason

[Garrus]

(08-22-2023, 01:20 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Reader may get re-signed like we think Higgins will, but that will take someone else off the table.

Spots we'll have to potentially worry about in 2024 (incumbent starter):
RT (Williams)
WR2 (Higgins)
WR3 (Boyd)
NT (Reader)
TE (Smith)
CB1 (Awuzie - is Turner the heir?)

Spots we'll have to potentially worry about in 2025:
QB (Burrow)
C (Karras)
RB (Mixon)
UT (Hill)
Slot CB (Hilton)

I can't see how Bengals would keep everyone, so we need to be prepared for some of them to get replaced with draft picks or cheaper veterans to accommodate big contracts for guys like Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and/or Reader.

Personally, I don't think Reader gets a multi-year extension by the Bengals, as he'll be 30 years old next year. Bengals don't typically sign older vets to be starters.

I think in 2024:

Williams is probably gone, unless we overpay to keep him. He may want to test FA regardless to go back to LT.

Boyd is 100% gone

Higgins will be tagged if not resigned then probably walk in 2025

Reader maybe could come back on a 1 year deal, but I think another team will overpay for him so unless he doesn't mind staying to less money he is probably gone.

Smith will be gone if he has a good year.

Awuzie is similar to Reader, except he is coming off an injury. If he starts slow we may be able to resign him cheaper then we would otherwise. If they think Turner is going to be the guy though, I think they let him walk.

For 2025:

Burrow- Not going anywhere
Karras- I think we could resign him for pretty cheap
Mixon- I think he will be gone/walk
Hill- We will probably let him walk, maybe resign for cheap
Hilton-I think will be gone

So for the next few years FA and the Draft will/should focus on OT, CB, and IDL mostly, with IOL, RB and WR depth a secondary issue.