Tell Us Your Free Agents (s) FO should have signed

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 04:15 PM)J24 Wrote: Tevin Jenkins G Bears- Signed with Cleveland for 2.5 million-Has experience at Both LG and RG, High PFF grades, but injury History.(over Patrick )
Dante Fowler Edge Commanders- Signed with Dallas for six Million- 10.5 sacks last season Good rotation edge. More proven then Ossai.(over Ossai)
S Andre Cisco Jaguars- Signed with Jets for 8 million. Pretty good as a single High safety.(cut Geno Stone)
Chauncey Golston DE Cowboys- Signed with Giants for 3 year 18 million. Versatile DE that can play outside on Run Downs and play inside on passing. Big guy 6-5 260!(over Cam Sample)
Trades-
Trey Hendrickson to Buffalo for Edge Greg Rousseau and 3rd Rd pick. Built like Carlos Dunlap.
2nd rd pick to Dallas for DT Osa Odighizuwa(would have been franchised by Dallas if he didn't reach deal with Dallas)
Myles Murphy to Colts for DT Adebawore Adebawore- swap of bust picks picks for each teams.

So guys you picked - Jenkins, Fowler, Cisco, Golston, Odighizuwa, add 3rd pick 2026

Lost - Patrick, Trey Hendrickson, 2026 second round pick and Murphy, Ossai



Good list, will be interesting to look back and see results

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 03:39 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I still would of drafted Fairchild looking back. As long as we get Risner in here eventually after he visits a few more teams I will be pretty
happy about Guard. Also, Chase Young has not lived up near to his draft status either, so I would still be for drafting Stewart or one of the 
other Ends in either Green or Pearce.

Malaki Starks would probably instantly be better than Geno Stone so looking back he would be my pick if we brought in Chase Young and 
didn't go End early. It is a fine line honestly, but I would of grabbed Fries or Risner over Patrick every time.

What draft pick is traded for Starks? I think it would have to be Stewart you would be replacing.

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 04:22 PM)puddycat Wrote: Extended: Chase, Hendrickson, CTB or Hill, Tycen Anderson
Re-sign: Sample
Trade: Higgins
FAs Pursued: Jenkins (OG) & Hernandez (OG), Poona Ford (DT), Matt Peart (swing OT), Jaire Alexander (CB), Fant (TE), Ashtyn Davis (S), Javonte Williams (RB), Ossai(DE)

I don't think Zeitler wanted to return. Also tempted by a pass rush specialist like Barnett or Anthony Nelson if Ossai fall through.

Which BJ Hill or CTB?
Who do you get to replace Tee?

Asssuming - No Patrick, Ossai

Add Jenkin, Hernandez, Ford, Peart, Alexander, Fant, A. Davis, JWilliams

Lot of add, who arethe 6 you cut to balance it out?

TY

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 05:40 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: I thought we should have traded Tee and used that extra money in other areas of greater need.  From my post in the offseason thread:

To recap
Lose - Higgins, Ossai
Add - Josh Sweat, Justin Reed, Jonathon Allen, 1st or 2nd round draft

Counting the pick, you would be adding 4 players and losing 2. Who are the other 2 roster cuts?

[puddycat]

(08-20-2025, 07:39 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Which BJ Hill or CTB?
Who do you get to replace Tee?

Asssuming - No Patrick, Ossai

Add Jenkin, Hernandez, Ford, Peart, Alexander, Fant, A. Davis, JWilliams

Lot of add, who are the 6 you cut to balance it out?

Actually BJ Hill was re-signed before free agency.. I meant Dax Hill.  We exercised his option for 9+M for 2026.  I don't see us paying both Dax Hill and CTB 10 mil/yr. going forward.  I guess I'd prefer CTB, but not at the $14M spotrac says he's worth.
Gesicki is our WR3, so I see Iosivas as the WR2 with Jones at WR4.

I don't have to cut anyone before the end of camp, but for arguments sake: 
Added (14): Jenkin, Hernandez, Ford, Peart, Alexander, Fant, A. Davis, JWilliams & 6 draft picks
Gone: (14): Hubbard, Ossai, Volson, Cappa, Vonn Bell, Mike Hilton, Steuber, Trayveon Williams, Zach Moss, Trent Brown, Chris Evans, Joe Bachie, Sheldon Rankins, Jay Tufele & at least 1 of the 7 draft picks.

[J24]

(08-20-2025, 05:04 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Good arguments for Osa alright J24. I was for the guy, but didn't know if he fit our system as well as BJ and thought Osa would of been way
more expensive because of what you say here.

Osa- Ended up with  a 4 year 80 million(12th amongst DT), 20 million per year(16th amongst DT)39 million guaranteed at signing( 12th amo get  DTs ),and 52 million(12th amongst DTs). Honestly , I look at that contract and I think that is a steal of a deal for a player of his caliber. Yes, thats an expensive contract but he is worth it IMO and he would have drastically improved our interior pass rusher.

As far as fit in this scheme; one of the reasons why I liked him as A prospect is because of his unique build while only 6-1, he has 34 inch arms, and a 7ft wingspan. Which allows him to use his natural leverage to get underneath offensive lineman while also allowing him the length to two gap if necessary. This is to go along with explosive athletic ability. So to me he would have fit well with any scheme we would run or could run.

(08-20-2025, 07:33 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: So guys you picked - Jenkins, Fowler, Cisco, Golston, Odighizuwa, add 3rd pick 2026

Lost - Patrick, Trey Hendrickson, 2026 second round pick and Murphy, Ossai



Good list, will be interesting to look back and see results

To add to the lost column Geno Stone and Cam Sample.

Draft
Trade down with Detroit from the 16th to the 28th for the 60th pick.

1st- Tate Ratlidge G Georgia
2nd- Ashton Giolette Edge Louisville
3rd- Dylan Fairchild G Georgia
3b- Barrett Carter LB Clemson
4th- Shedur Sanders QB Colorado
5th- Jalen Rivers OT/G Miami
6th- Logan Brown OT/ G Kansas

[kevinsea]

I would've drafted Emmanwori in the 1st round and Tuimalou in the 2nd. Id sign Risner NOW

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 08:59 PM)puddycat Wrote: Actually BJ Hill was re-signed before free agency.. I meant Dax Hill.  We exercised his option for 9+M for 2026.  I don't see us paying both Dax Hill and CTB 10 mil/yr. going forward.  I guess I'd prefer CTB, but not at the $14M spotrac says he's worth.
Gesicki is our WR3, so I see Iosivas as the WR2 with Jones at WR4.

I don't have to cut anyone before the end of camp, but for arguments sake: 
Added (14): Jenkin, Hernandez, Ford, Peart, Alexander, Fant, A. Davis, JWilliams & 6 draft picks
Gone: (14): Hubbard, Ossai, Volson, Cappa, Vonn Bell, Mike Hilton, Steuber, Trayveon Williams, Zach Moss, Trent Brown, Chris Evans, Joe Bachie, Sheldon Rankins, Jay Tufele & at least 1 of the 7 draft picks.

My exercise is designed to get to 53 man roster.
TY for clarifying

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 10:38 PM)J24 Wrote: Osa- Ended up with  a 4 year 80 million(12th amongst DT), 20 million per year(16th amongst DT)39 million guaranteed at signing( 12th amo get  DTs ),and 52 million(12th amongst DTs). Honestly , I look at that contract and I think that is a steal of a deal for a player of his caliber. Yes, thats an expensive contract but he is worth it IMO and he would have drastically improved our interior pass rusher.

As far as fit in this scheme; one of the reasons why I liked him as A prospect is because of his unique build while only 6-1, he has 34 inch arms, and a 7ft wingspan. Which allows him to use his natural leverage to get underneath offensive lineman while also allowing him the length to two gap if necessary. This is to go along with explosive athletic ability. So to me he would have fit well with any scheme we would run or could run.


To add to the lost column Geno Stone and Cam Sample.

Draft
Trade down with Detroit from the 16th to the 28th for the 60th pick.

1st- Tate Ratlidge G Georgia
2nd- Ashton Giolette Edge Louisville
3rd- Dylan Fairchild G Georgia
3b- Barrett Carter LB Clemson
4th- Shedur Sanders QB Colorado
5th- Jalen Rivers OT/G Miami
6th- Logan Brown OT/ G Kansas

So bolds are gains
Additional losses are Stewart, Knight and Brooks

TY

[Luvnit2]

(08-20-2025, 11:00 PM)kevinsea Wrote: I would've drafted Emmanwori in the 1st round and Tuimalou in the 2nd. Id sign Risner NOW

So those 2 gains and lose Stewart and Tuimalou 
Gains 2 above plus Risner

TY

[Soonerpeace]

(08-20-2025, 10:38 PM)J24 Wrote: Osa- Ended up with  a 4 year 80 million(12th amongst DT), 20 million per year(16th amongst DT)39 million guaranteed at signing( 12th amo get  DTs ),and 52 million(12th amongst DTs). Honestly , I look at that contract and I think that is a steal of a deal for a player of his caliber. Yes, thats an expensive contract but he is worth it IMO and he would have drastically improved our interior pass rusher.

As far as fit in this scheme; one of the reasons why I liked him as A prospect is because of his unique build while only 6-1, he has 34 inch arms, and a 7ft wingspan. Which allows him to use his natural leverage to get underneath offensive lineman while also allowing him the length to two gap if necessary. This is to go along with explosive athletic ability. So to me he would have fit well with any scheme we would run or could run.


To add to the lost column Geno Stone and Cam Sample.

Draft
Trade down with Detroit from the 16th to the 28th for the 60th pick.

1st- Tate Ratlidge G Georgia
2nd- Ashton Giolette Edge Louisville
3rd- Dylan Fairchild G Georgia
3b- Barrett Carter LB Clemson
4th- Shedur Sanders QB Colorado
5th- Jalen Rivers OT/G Miami
6th- Logan Brown OT/ G Kansas

4 guards and tackles? Out of 6 picks? The roster just didn’t have that luxury. Shemar is going to be a stud.Fairchild,Rivers,Brooks, Carter, and Knight were all good picks. They did very well. Their roster issues have been on drafts in 22-23 and recent free agent misses. The roster holes are years in the making and won’t be corrected unless another good draft in ‘26.

[jj22]

If you've watched the Bears this preseason you see how we could have completely built this oline into a strength this offseason. Missed opportunity, but if you watch the Bears you see it can be done.

[Timanky12]

Sign anyone who played defense on an NFL team last year that gets cut. Gotta be better than the players we have.

[Soonerpeace]

(08-20-2025, 02:49 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I know we have a lot of frustrated fans the Bengals did not do more in FA or did not like our draft. This thread is your shot to to tell us who Bengals should have signed in 2025 and should have cut. Please keep in mind cap space needed to sign your pick. Let's do it for fum and then revisit to analyze after the season is over. Feel free to also shape our roster with replacing 2025 picks with your picks (must be available at draft position for pick you replace)

I would not change draft picks.

I like the players we signed and extended. I like Tee only becauseI love the contract is low on guaranteed money and high on incentives

I would sign Risner for 2 years and 7 million with 4.5 million guaranteed

I would extend Trey giving him a 20 million dollar signing bonus in 2025 to go with his 15.6 salary and 200K per game incentive. Year 2 I woud give him 32 million with 32 million guaranteed and year three 37 million with 10 million guaranteed - 3 years 110 million with 75.7 miillion guaranteed. Trey would earn 3.4 million if he hits the 200K per game bonus playing also 17 games.

I loved exending Chase, signing Gesicki, Fant, Punter. I would have signed Risner over Patrick. I actually love our draft. I think the FO got a 3rd round steal. Stewart and Knight both risky picks, but I am good with them.

Let us know how you would reshape our roster or who you would have signed and drafted prior to week 1 games.

For all the grief the team gets on Trey they could have traded him for a first rounder to somebody as his contract was attractive. It would have screwed him. But they sincerely wanted to keep him for more than just his performance. He was a great Bengal. Trey is asking for a lot more than people think even the media.

I wouldn’t do anything different in the draft but although I really like Brooks they had Perine. Brooks was a solid pickup. Maybe drafted another guard. But I liked Mekhi Becton of the Eagles. He signed with the Chargers a 2 year 20 million contract. He’s huge at 6.7 363. Had they signed him they could have kept Brooks. I’d have traded Myles Murphy & Jermaine Burton for another few picks in 2025. I’ve maintained the future of this team leans on successful drafts with players on rookie deals.

So had they traded Trey and got another first rounder (picked Stewart and another DE) and traded Murphy & Burton for a couple of picks and signed Bechton they’d be in better shape this year and going forward. I think our situation reflects a poor long term strategy by Mgt. I mean come on they knew they were going to have salary cap issues with all the stars second contracts. Having only 6 picks this past draft was poor.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

Main draft changes I would make would be...
1st: Jihaad Campbell (we could have even traded back for him)
2nd: Tate Ratledge (as G for '25, with intentions to make him C in '26 when we move on from Karras in FA)

Would have also traded back into the draft in the 7th with a 2026 6th or something to grab Quinn Ewers. That'd let me see about trading Browning to a needy team (Saints, Falcons, Jets?) rather than let him walk next offseason in FA. I don't know if you could get a 2026 low 3rd or a 4th for him, but it'd be a net positive expenditure and if Burrow isn't healthy we're pretty screwed anyway.

Trade Tee and short-term replace him with a platoon of Tyler Lockett (1yr/$4m) and Brandin Cooks (2yr/$13m) for a 2025 $7m cap hit instead of Tee's $24m, plus whatever pick I got for Tee (2nd or early 3rd?) which I would use for a more long-term replacement on a WR like Isaac TeSlaa (the 70th pick). Between the three, I feel like our WR group as a whole would both be better and for less.

Tell Logan Wilson at the very start of the offseason to either lose 20lbs or prepare to be cut/traded. 

-Sign Bobby Wagner for a year (he signed 1yr/$9m) because he's a great player but also would be an absolute font of information for Jihaad Campbell to learn from
-Pay Hendrickson.
-Sign Josh Sweat to play opposite him (he has just a $7.3m cap hit in '25)
-Sign Calais Campbell as a rotational depth piece across the entire DL (he plays DE/DT/NT) and as a leader/lockerroom guy. (He signed for 1yr, has a $6m cap hit.)
-Sign Justin Reid (he has just a $3.8m cap hit in '25) and cut Jordan Battle
-Sign Risner or Zeitler or Becton and cut Volson way before he got hurt so we're not entirely dependant upon a rookie 3rd rounder being a great starter
-Bring back Awuzie (he signed for just 1yr/$1.255m) because CB depth is always good
-Sign Michael Burton at FB (1yr/$1.422m) so we never again have back-to-back go balls on 3rd & inches and 4th & inches. (and a FB is more valuable than a 4th RB in my opinion)

[*Synric*]

Along with the Free Agents the Bengals added four guys that would have made sense.

G James Daniels or G Kevin Zeitler
S Juan Thornhill
DT Levi Onwuzurike

[THE PISTONS]

(08-20-2025, 03:32 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: This is not about defending the FO. It is your chance to show your GM skills. The FO will be easily evaluated as we see their decisions 1 game at a time. But NP if you don't want to play GM for fun.

I put my FA hat on and did not agree with FO 100%.

These types of discussions are always flawed because you compete against all the other teams to sign guys. You don't just get to pick through the list of available players uncontested. And some guys may not want to come here. Some may.

Like Risner is unsigned, but we still might not get him.

[Soonerpeace]

(08-21-2025, 10:57 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Main draft changes I would make would be...
1st: Jihaad Campbell (we could have even traded back for him)
2nd: Tate Ratledge (as G for '25, with intentions to make him C in '26 when we move on from Karras in FA)

Would have also traded back into the draft in the 7th with a 2026 6th or something to grab Quinn Ewers. That'd let me see about trading Browning to a needy team (Saints, Falcons, Jets?) rather than let him walk next offseason in FA. I don't know if you could get a 2026 low 3rd or a 4th for him, but it'd be a net positive expenditure and if Burrow isn't healthy we're pretty screwed anyway.

Trade Tee and short-term replace him with a platoon of Tyler Lockett (1yr/$4m) and Brandin Cooks (2yr/$13m) for a 2025 $7m cap hit instead of Tee's $24m, plus whatever pick I got for Tee (2nd or early 3rd?) which I would use for a more long-term replacement on a WR like Isaac TeSlaa (the 70th pick). Between the three, I feel like our WR group as a whole would both be better and for less.

Tell Logan Wilson at the very start of the offseason to either lose 20lbs or prepare to be cut/traded. 

-Sign Bobby Wagner for a year (he signed 1yr/$9m) because he's a great player but also would be an absolute font of information for Jihaad Campbell to learn from
-Pay Hendrickson.
-Sign Josh Sweat to play opposite him (he has just a $7.3m cap hit in '25)
-Sign Calais Campbell as a rotational depth piece across the entire DL (he plays DE/DT/NT) and as a leader/lockerroom guy. (He signed for 1yr, has a $6m cap hit.)
-Sign Justin Reid (he has just a $3.8m cap hit in '25) and cut Jordan Battle
-Sign Risner or Zeitler or Becton and cut Volson way before he got hurt so we're not entirely dependant upon a rookie 3rd rounder being a great starter
-Bring back Awuzie (he signed for just 1yr/$1.255m) because CB depth is always good
-Sign Michael Burton at FB (1yr/$1.422m) so we never again have back-to-back go balls on 3rd & inches and 4th & inches. (and a FB is more valuable than a 4th RB in my opinion)

Well thought out. There’s no magic bullet on those first 2 picks. I like yours a ton. But with the unknown of Trey they needed a DE. We’ll see on Knight. I like signing Tee a lot. Yes his money could have gone a long way. But he’s so good on quick slants and his combination of length and strong hands are just special and a great compliment to Chase. I mentioned earlier the pickups of Fant and Perine solid financially but other areas needed attention. I would have signed Bechton. But this roster is a long way from SB worthy. The drafts in ‘22-23 and recent FA has saddled them.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(08-21-2025, 11:50 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Well thought out. There’s no magic bullet on those first 2 picks. I like yours a ton. But with the unknown of Trey they needed a DE. We’ll see on Knight. I like signing Tee a lot. Yes his money could have gone a long way. But he’s so good on quick slants and his combination of length and strong hands are just special and a great compliment to Chase. I mentioned earlier the pickups of Fant and Perine solid financially but other areas needed attention. I would have signed Bechton. But this roster is a long way from SB worthy. The drafts in ‘22-23 and recent FA has saddled them.

Yup, which is why I have just pay him and also sign Josh Sweat. We then have a top DE duo in the league.

- - - - -

I might be able to get over the money Tee got if it weren't for the lack of reliability/availability.

Plus we are a very pass happy team so quality depth 2-5 after Chase is arguably more important than a high quality #2.

Say we go 4 wide: Chase / Higgins / Isosivas / C Jones
But WRs get breaks... Chase plays about 90% of the snaps in the games he's active for, Tee plays about 75-80%.
4 wide and one of Chase or Higgins are taking a breather: Chase-or-Tee / Iosivas / C Jones / Burton
4 wide and Tee is hurt: Chase / Iosivas / C Jones / Burton
4 wide and Tee is hurt and Chase is taking a breather: Isosivas / C Jones / Burton / I Williams

Now in my scenario we have traded Tee, signed those two FAs, and drafted that WR...
4 wide: Chase / Lockett / Cooks / TeSlaa-or-Iosivas
4 wide and Chase is taking a breather: Lockett / Cooks / TeSlaa / Isosivas
4 wide and Lockett or Cooks is taking a breather or are hurt: Chase / Lockett-or-Cooks / TeSlaa / Iosivas
4 wide and Lockett or Cooks is hurt and Chase is taking a breather: Lockett-or-Cooks / TeSlaa / Iosivas / C Jones

Tee Higgins is a very good WR, and I have always been clear on that. I just think that having slightly lesser but more numerous options after Chase is more beneficial because it keeps the WR5/PS-types off the field where a HUGE drop in ability can be seen. I used 4-wide as an example, but it's apparent even in 3-wide when one of Chase or Tee are off the field how bad it is. Let alone when Tee is inevitably hurt and then Chase needs a breather and then you're just 

Then you combine that with the fact that you'd get an extra $17m in cap space to improve the team on defense, and it makes it pretty easy in my mind.


(Ended up being way wordier than I intended, but hopefully explained my WR thought process.)

[Soonerpeace]

(08-21-2025, 12:09 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Yup, which is why I have just pay him and also sign Josh Sweat. We then have a top DE duo in the league.

- - - - -

I might be able to get over the money Tee got if it weren't for the lack of reliability/availability.

Plus we are a very pass happy team so quality depth 2-5 after Chase is arguably more important than a high quality #2.

Say we go 4 wide: Chase / Higgins / Isosivas / C Jones
But WRs get breaks... Chase plays about 90% of the snaps in the games he's active for, Tee plays about 75-80%.
4 wide and one of Chase or Higgins are taking a breather: Chase-or-Tee / Iosivas / C Jones / Burton
4 wide and Tee is hurt: Chase / Iosivas / C Jones / Burton
4 wide and Tee is hurt and Chase is taking a breather: Isosivas / C Jones / Burton / I Williams

Now in my scenario we have traded Tee, signed those two FAs, and drafted that WR...
4 wide: Chase / Lockett / Cooks / TeSlaa-or-Iosivas
4 wide and Chase is taking a breather: Lockett / Cooks / TeSlaa / Isosivas
4 wide and Lockett or Cooks is taking a breather or are hurt: Chase / Lockett-or-Cooks / TeSlaa / Iosivas
4 wide and Lockett or Cooks is hurt and Chase is taking a breather: Lockett-or-Cooks / TeSlaa / Iosivas / C Jones

Tee Higgins is a very good WR, and I have always been clear on that. I just think that having slightly lesser but more numerous options after Chase is more beneficial because it keeps the WR5/PS-types off the field where a HUGE drop in ability can be seen. I used 4-wide as an example, but it's apparent even in 3-wide when one of Chase or Tee are off the field how bad it is. Let alone when Tee is inevitably hurt and then Chase needs a breather and then you're just 

Then you combine that with the fact that you'd get an extra $17m in cap space to improve the team on defense, and it makes it pretty easy in my mind.


(Ended up being way wordier than I intended, but hopefully explained my WR thought process.)

But watching preseason doesn’t the WR room not look strong? Doesn’t look like a lot of 4 wides with the addition of Fant. I have no clue their thought process but I see a lot of 02 personnel with Chase/Tee/Yoshi/Gesicki/Fant. Won’t it be hard blitzing that? I like Fant or Gesicki going to empty area in blitzes. I can see also more 12 personnel. So I’m not concerned with WR room and your strategy there. But Tee’s availability is a point. I just can’t give him up. In hindsight the emergence of Jones & Isovias and even Mitchell Tinsley seem to have solved your worries but couldn’t have known that when your moves would have had to be made.

But until the RG spot and defense improvement are fixed a playoff team is about all we are. This roster has been allowed to diminish.