F/A Updates

[cincygrad]

Some would consider Awuzie an upgrade over Jackson.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I'm happy with the Hendrickson move. I liked Lawson, but worried about his durability and I thought he left some plays on the field.... Consistency seemed to be an issue.

The obvious questions about Hendrickson will be about whether he was a one-hit wonder. I think it was worth a gamble - He played on a good D in NO and was stuck behind some decent players. When he had his shot he did great and I'm sure they would have loved to keep him but they have all sorts of money issues.

When comparing a signing of Hendrickson vs. the tagging of Lawson (which was on the table at one point), this is a big win.

Agreed. Where I liked Lawson was his pressure and other metrics. He never got the sacks, but his pressure rate was one of the best. Sometimes sacks don't happen for reasons outside of your control.

On the opposite end of that spectrum is Henderickson - he got the sacks, but if you dig into the numbers a bit more, the pressure metrics may not have been as good as Lawsons.

One issue with Lawson was his lack of run support and the thought that he was mainly just a pass-rush specialist. That's a lot of money to spend on a guy that may be a 1-trick pony. If they feel Hendrickson can offer more 3-down ability, then I think it's worth the risk. Otherwise, you were looking at signing a run-DE for 1st and 2nd' down and then having to also pay Lawson for being a 2nd'-long, 3'rd down pass-rush guy.

 

[cincygrad]

I'm seeing a lot of disgruntled fans talking about how we traded Lawson and WJIII for Henderickson and Awuzie. Most think this is either a push with some thinking its a downgrade.

My thinking is that we were losing two guys from a D that is already without talent. They can't stay put on D and they couldn't overpay for those guys before free agency. We spent money to give the D a chance.... These are good moves. The roster needs turnover and the Bengals are turning it over. I also realize that everyone would be thrilled with these moves if we had anything to show for on the offensive line. That point, I can agree with.

 

[jbuck]

hendrickson, not a run stuffer, a a part timer, but young and locked up is good

slight downgrade

 

[futballiscool]

I'm afraid that Tobin and the boys have hitched their wagon to either Sewell or Slater. I assume Williams will play the other tackle position, Price will be center (until Hopkins is healthy) and we'll be looking at a few bargain guards over the rest of free agency. Not really the splash I was hoping for with the offensive line, but if they can pick up a mid-range starter or two and then get the tackle in the draft, the line will be improved.

That sucks for 2 reasons. First it telegraphs the pick and makes it easier for a team to trade ahead of us on draft day. Second picking in the top 5 is the easiest way to add a HOF level talent to the roster and when you have a glaring need at OL you might pass up you're one chance at adding a generational talent at another position.

If there was one player worth overpaying in FA it's Trent Williams so hopefully the Bengals are at least putting in a respectable bid there

 

[cincygrad]

That sucks for 2 reasons. First it telegraphs the pick and makes it easier for a team to trade ahead of us on draft day. Second picking in the top 5 is the easiest way to add a HOF level talent to the roster and when you have a glaring need at OL you might pass up you're one chance at adding a generational talent at another position.

If there was one player worth overpaying in FA it's Trent Williams so hopefully the Bengals are at least putting in a respectable bid there

I agree. I would have liked for them to address the line in FA and not be left hoping and praying for the linemen in the draft. Too much can happen with those first few picks.

 

[futballiscool]

I agree. I would have liked for them to address the line in FA and not be left hoping and praying for the linemen in the draft. Too much can happen with those first few picks.

Especially with an Offensive Tackle. They're the most likely position to go in the top 4 other than QB and maybe pass rusher.

 

[cincygrad]

If they are married to the idea of a tackle in the draft, I'd like to see them take a chance on a receiver in FA. They need speed on the outside. One guy I would consider is Will Fuller. I realize that durability is a serious concern for the guy, but he's got speed and he's been effective when he plays. For the right price.....

 

[cincygrad]

 

[futballiscool]

Fuller's interesting. He has the bad combination of durability issues plus a positive PED test the time he stayed healthy in a contract year. On the plus side he's young and arguably the best deep threat in the league other than Tyreek Hill. I'd be in favor on a one year flyer or a 2 or 3 year deal loaded with incentives.

The WR market is saturated and I wouldn't mind taking a look at a player at the right price in a few days.

 

[cincygrad]

They've done a heck of a job on that secondary. They get Waynes back next year, the safeties are very good and now we have two FA signings.

 

[Cincyfan78]

That sucks for 2 reasons. First it telegraphs the pick and makes it easier for a team to trade ahead of us on draft day. Second picking in the top 5 is the easiest way to add a HOF level talent to the roster and when you have a glaring need at OL you might pass up you're one chance at adding a generational talent at another position.

If there was one player worth overpaying in FA it's Trent Williams so hopefully the Bengals are at least putting in a respectable bid there

Yes, and no.

This draft is pretty deep at OT. You have Sewell in the top 5, and then Slater in the top 15 and Darrisaw, Vera-Tucker, and Mayfield have all been in mock drafts in the 1st round as well. Then have Cosmi, Eichenburg, and Leatherwood either at the back end of 1 or early in round 2.

 

[futballiscool]

Yes, and no.

This draft is pretty deep at OT. You have Sewell in the top 5, and then Slater in the top 15 and Darrisaw, Vera-Tucker, and Mayfield have all been in mock drafts in the 1st round as well. Then have Cosmi, Eichenburg, and Leatherwood either at the back end of 1 or early in round 2.

Last year 5 Tackles went in the top 18 picks. If there's a highly graded player at that position they'll go early. We have a franchise QB coming off reconstructive knee surgery too. Trent Williams is probably a pipe dream but if there was a time to break the bank in FA this is it.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Yes, and no.

This draft is pretty deep at OT. You have Sewell in the top 5, and then Slater in the top 15 and Darrisaw, Vera-Tucker, and Mayfield have all been in mock drafts in the 1st round as well. Then have Cosmi, Eichenburg, and Leatherwood either at the back end of 1 or early in round 2.

You are forgetting Teven Jenkins, maybe the best best RT in the entire draft. He is being projected as high as 20th now in some mocks.

I am all for trading down to get around 15 to 20 and draft Jenkins while racking up two or three more second day picks.

However, I am not opposed to drafting a Chase or Pitts with #5 and then trading back up into the 1st round to grab Jenkins either. Lose other draft capital that way, but you may earn better quality starters immediately as well.

Shore up the defense in FA, and at least one decent guard for goodness sakes. Then spend draft capital on offense.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Teven Jenkins

2021 NFL Draft: OT Teven Jenkins rounding out first round portfolio

Teven Jenkins stacks an already talented 2021 NFL Draft class of tackles Entering the 2020 season, the offensive tackle class in the 2021 NFL Draft did not...

withthefirstpick.com

“Just 128 of his 946 snaps in the past three years were a true pass set. That said, Jenkins posted an elite 90.0 pass-blocking grade on those snaps, which would have been the best at the position had he played enough snaps to qualify. On top of that, Jenkins also posted the second-best run-block grade among right tackles over the course of that span.”

 

[cincygrad]

These aren't your father's bengals..... Look at all of those free agents. I remember when we just used to draft corners with our first rounders.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

Hendrickson seems like a decent pickup. But he’s another part time player with one pop season. For the money they spent, I’d rather have just kept Lawson. Who at least you know what you’re getting. Also it’s important to remember that a big part of his 13 sacks in ‘20 were due to Cam Jordan eating double teams. He won’t have that luxury here, where he’s likely the guy teams will gameplan against. I don’t think he’s a #1 EDGE like the Bengals seem to believe.

I have zero issue with the secondary moves. Awuzie is talented, but was hurt constantly with the Cowboys. Good tackler. But his PFF numbers in coverage are kinda bad. Still, I’m willing to give him a shot. Mike Hilton is a nice scoop. A blitzing nickel that they can do different things with. Plus it hurts the Steelers, an added plus.

Id still like to see another pass rusher signed. Like a Hasson Reddick. And a speed WR to complement the possession guys we have. Fuller has been mentioned. I’d love to get Curtis Samuel myself.

They can’t go into draft without signing a veteran OL. It just can’t happen. They’ve gotta get a Gabe Jackson, Trai Turner, Rodney Hudson, Reilly Reiff. Lord knows the whole league is looking for OL. I’ll bet money someone scoops Sewell before the Bengals pick. Then you’re left with the option to trade down (only happens if a QB is there) and hoping someone they like is there in the 2nd. This is a very good OL draft. But they can’t pin there hopes on coming away with multiple starters. Recipe for disaster.

 

[DanBengalfan]

they can upgrade a few spots on the line just by signing mediocre talent. maybe that's the plan.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I think I like the Hendrickson move, shows that we're not dead.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I really like the Henrickson over Lawson, but only in the sense he is better at run stopping too, something Lawson was not good at, because he is 110% at the QB and the QB only. Plus, we with moving to a move hybrid 3-4 set, Henrickson, Reader and Hubbard is a better trio than Lawson. Now we have to figure out how to add to our LB core for this transition since Lawson was considered a pass rushing LB. We also have to do something in FA for the OL and maybe even WR, not as worried about WR, because if we flop and don't get Sewell, Chase or Pitts, then let's just go Waddle to get that game breaking speed on the outside.