Decisions the Bengals need to make the next few months

[Murdock2420]

(12-22-2019, 11:20 PM)Jason_NC Wrote: What to do with Pick 1? 
Chronologically this is not the first decision they need to make, but it has an impact on the other decisions they will need to make.  The obvious choice is to take Burrow and begin rebuilding around him.  But Chase Young is the best player in the draft.  Is there a QB worth taking later?  Do you "try" to get a top 2 pick next year?  Or do you trade down with Miami and take Tua or Herbert and an OL or LB with another 1st round pick?

What to do with Dalton?
If they take Chase Young, or a later QB, Dalton has to stay. Unless they decide to tank next year for Lawrence or Fields. Assuming the draft Burrow, Dalton goes on the trade market.  What is he worth?  I don't see us getting more than a 3 for him, but that 3 could be a guard or LB that could make the team better, or contribute to trading up.

What to do with AJ Green?
If you tag him he may not show up for the off season stuff.  If we have Burrow, having Green here will go a long way in helping him.  I personally wouldn't give him Julio money, but I'd try to sign him to a 3 year deal.  If they can't sign him to a reasonable contract for a 30+ year old receiver who has missed most of the past 2 seasons, then consider a tag and trade.  Sentimentally I want to keep him, but he may want out.  I want at least a top 40 pick for him.

What if Joe Mixon holds out for a big new contract?
Mixon could be a great back with even an average line.  But is a back worth big money?  Especially in a pass first league?  Has he put his "college issues" behind him enough to get back what he would be worth?

Has Eifert earned a new contract?
If you told me he would have played the whole season back in September I would not have believed it.  But he's been used so sparingly he's been practically invisible, and hasn't made the kind of catches he has previously been known for.  I think you let him go and wish him well.

Do you try to trade Dunlap and/or Atkins?
Can you get enough in return for the 2 aging stars of the defense to make it worth trading them?  Geno has a chance to be a Hall of Fame player, is he worth keeping because of that?  If you decide Chase Young is the guy it makes trading Dunlap a lot easier decision.  If we can get a 2 for him I might do it anyway.

What to do with the coaching staff?
I doubt Taylor is going anywhere.  But what about Turner? Or Anarumo? Can Duffner take over the defense?  Are any coaches who are about to get fired upgrades to anyone on our staff, and willing to come?

How do you replace Bullock?
I don't know if there are any kickers in this draft worth taking.  Good kickers don't often make free agency, the cost/value ratio is too good.  So anything they do is likely to be a gamble on some level, but despite his kick today, he's not the answer for what we are trying to build.

Free agents?
If they let Dalton and Glenn go they will have a ton of cap money.  They need to change their philosophy this year.  A couple of smart free agent moves and this team could be much more competitive.  And they have too many needs to be able to address them all in the draft this year.  They need a WR, CB, LB, and an OL or 2, and a kicker, not to mention better overall depth.

What would you add?  What do you disagree with?

This is a really good write up of all the challenges this team is facing.

I'll skip the what to do with the pick, cause my belief has never changed that they should trade back and get as much as they can for it. Like what the Rams gave up to go get Goff.

Dalton is what he is, a QB that can succeed with a lot of time and a lot of talent. Personally, with how the season went and the benching, I'd try to trade him. If you are accepting full on rebuild, start Doelga (I can't spell his name), get a journeyman kinda vet, or worst case....let Finley have a go again.

A.J. should be tagged and traded. Should have been traded already. In a perfect world, you sit and talk with him and ask where he would want to go and explain you'll do your best to send him to one of the teams he wants. Get a pick or two and wish him the best. Downside is this leaves you in need of drafting his replacement, good news is, if you trade the 1st pick, and Dalton and Green you should have the picks to find a good receiver in the draft.

Mixon, you pay. No Green, No Dalton and already under the cap. He is young and one of the guys who never quits fighting even down by 30 points. That is the kind of guy you keep. Besides, there is no-one behind him on the depth chart who can do what he does. Gio is a great gadget guy and the other backs we drafted can't stay healthy.

Eifert, this is a tough call. You have C.J. and you burned a pick on Sample. Plus there is Shrek and Carter, and it is kind of a deeper position group. However, he looked solid not spectacular this season. I see not harm in offering him a contract but not a big money deal. He is a situational player, not an every down kinda guy anymore.

Dunlap and Atkins, if you go full rebuild and get a good offer, you have to listen. However, if you trade Atkins and Dunlap you have to make sure you lock up Billings and the other young guys like Hubbard and Lawson past next season. Can't trade those guys and then turn around and let their replacements walk out the door.

Bullock.... the fat one... find a CFA and let him battle it out, but make it an actual competition. No sense wasting a pick on a kicker, we have too many holes to take one and possible cut him.

Coaches, I'd keep Taylor and see if he can improve his staff. Came in after a Super Bowl game and was a little behind (I hope) in picking coaches. Let's give him year 2 and his staff to see if there is any improvement.

Free Agency. I wish more than anything, that the team would open it's eyes and actually sign guys who are solid starters and fill needs. Hell, if they actually went out and signed a NFL starting RT and RG and resigned Hopkins and Williams comes back healthy, I'd be much more inclined to be okay with drafting Burrow. But, since FA is a dumpster dive thing here in Cincy, I believe the best and only way to build is to trade back and get more picks.