The biggest need the Bengals may have this offseason is to merely prepare better during training camp. If it weren’t for their putrid start to begin the season, especially against the lowly Patriots on Opening Day, they would have made the playoffs and possibly been able to compete for a Superbowl.
In recent years, this team is the only one seemingly not intimidated about the prospect of facing off against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Joe Burrow has shown no sign of fear and has held his own against Mahomes…even making it to a Superbowl, which is something Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson haven’t been able to do.
The historically cheap franchise has spent this offseason keeping their star QB happy by retaining his two main targets with two very large extensions. WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got paid, with Chase receiving a record-breaking deal. And let’s face it, since Burrow joined the team, offense was never an issue. So it stands to reason that the team’s main needs, heading into this year’s draft, are on the defensive side of the ball.
Other than DE Trey Hendrickson, the team is lousy on defense. Even though Burrow put up nearly 28 points per game, they only had a differential of 2.3 points per game, giving up an average of 25.5 points. A championship-caliber team cannot give up that many points.
The Bengals needs this offseason are, Defense, Defense, Defense…specifically on the D-line, in their secondary, and on the edge to complement Hendrickson. They are going to have to do some late-night cramming because they will be limited, with only six picks, one in each of the first six rounds. They have the 17th, 49th, 81st, and 119th picks in the first four rounds.
With their first pick, there are a slew of linemen and linebackers they can choose from. The secondary can wait until later rounds. DE Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M; linebackers Jihaad Campbell from Alabama, Jalen Walker from Georgia, DT Walter Nolan from Ole Miss, and Derrick Harmon from Oregon should all be considerations. At least a couple of these players will be available for the taking.
With only six picks in this year’s draft, the Bengals may want to consider trading down at some point for more picks…either in this or next year’s draft. At no.49, this may be a good spot to do it. A top-50 pick is very desirable for teams. If the first round was full of players to play in the front seven, the mid-second round would be full of players in the secondary. CB Benjamin Morrison is with Notre Dame, as is S Xavier Watts. CB Trey Amos is with Ole Miss, Jahdae Barron is with Texas, and Azaeye’h Thomas is with FSU. Unless they are in love with one of these players, they could trade down for whoever remains while snagging an extra pick or two.
At no.81 in the third round, there are between 12-18 players they’ll be able to choose from at either DE, DT, CB, or S. I’ll give you one of each: At DE, Kyle Kennard from South Carolina, DT Omar Norman-Lott from Tennessee, CB Shavon Revel from East Carolina, and S Dante Trader from Maryland. Of these four, I like Shavon Revel the most. He’s 6’2 and 195 lbs. He possesses speed, quickness, and power. It’s a lofty comparison, but he resembles Richard Sherman on the field.
The bottom line is this: if the Bengals can get off to a better start and shore up their defense, they will be that other team in the AFC to compete with the Chiefs year in and year out. With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins, they have the makings of a mini-dynasty themselves.
One final point: I am not in love with the team’s RB situation…and although with only six picks, they don’t have the draft capital to spend there, it wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to take a late-round flyer on one. Their RB room currently consists of Chase Brown and Zack Moss. I’d like them to go after RB free agent JK Dobbins or Gus Edwards, although after opening the vault for Chase and Higgins, there may not be much left.
