Too Rich?

[CrashDavisSports]

Are the Bengals capable of signing all these guys during FA?

OLB Carl Lawson
MLB Matt Milano
OG Joe Thuney
OT Daryl Williams

Would give us a chance to draft Pitts if this occurred. Hopefully Teven Jenkins drops to 2nd round.

Would lose William Jackson, but moving to a 3-4 defense would require better LB'ers. I am good with Lawson being that blitzing OLB, while Wilson and Milano kind of run down the lines for run and pass defense. Not sure who the 4th LB'er would be, but you have Pratt, Davis, Bailey and Evans to compete for the position.

We could cut Atkins, Hart, Finney, let Jackson walk, we are losing Green and Ross's salaries.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Are the Bengals capable of signing all these guys during FA?

OLB Carl Lawson
MLB Matt Milano
OG Joe Thuney
OT Daryl Williams

Would give us a chance to draft Pitts if this occurred. Hopefully Teven Jenkins drops to 2nd round.

Would lose William Jackson, but moving to a 3-4 defense would require better LB'ers. I am good with Lawson being that blitzing OLB, while Wilson and Milano kind of run down the lines for run and pass defense. Not sure who the 4th LB'er would be, but you have Pratt, Davis, Bailey and Evans to compete for the position.

We could cut Atkins, Hart, Finney, let Jackson walk, we are losing Green and Ross's salaries.

The loss of Green and Ross' salaries are already figured into that cap space number since they don't have a contract for '21.

The other cuts would save them the money - which would be needed.

I really don't know how I feel about moving to a 3-4. When changing defenses like this, you need to be able to either draft really well leading up to the change, or spend good money on F/A - which is hampered this year by needed OL help right now.

Could they do this? Yes, I think they have enough cap room and if you set up the contracts right - there is room to sign them all. You can also Tag Lawson for a year to delay that need/contract if you absolutely had to.

I'm not broken up over losing Jackson - whom never seemed to really take that next step.

** To add - it looks like the NFL is about to get in a new TV deal - so the salary cap is most assuredly to go up after this year, like back north of 200MM. With that being the case, the Bengals could easily use this years' cap to take on the biggest hits knowing that next year the cap is likely to jump an additional 20MM. A bit risky, yes, but it seems almost assured, and would allow them to sign players now, pay players now, take the cap hit now, and still reserve cap room for the future.

I believe Dupree would also be on the market from the Steelers - and would be a great addition if the move truly is more of a 3-4 look/base.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

The loss of Green and Ross' salaries are already figured into that cap space number since they don't have a contract for '21.

The other cuts would save them the money - which would be needed.

I really don't know how I feel about moving to a 3-4. When changing defenses like this, you need to be able to either draft really well leading up to the change, or spend good money on F/A - which is hampered this year by needed OL help right now.

Could they do this? Yes, I think they have enough cap room and if you set up the contracts right - there is room to sign them all. You can also Tag Lawson for a year to delay that need/contract if you absolutely had to.

I'm not broken up over losing Jackson - whom never seemed to really take that next step.

** To add - it looks like the NFL is about to get in a new TV deal - so the salary cap is most assuredly to go up after this year, like back north of 200MM. With that being the case, the Bengals could easily use this years' cap to take on the biggest hits knowing that next year the cap is likely to jump an additional 20MM. A bit risky, yes, but it seems almost assured, and would allow them to sign players now, pay players now, take the cap hit now, and still reserve cap room for the future.

I believe Dupree would also be on the market from the Steelers - and would be a great addition if the move truly is more of a 3-4 look/base.

They are running a hybrid 3-4, but the base package is still a 3-4. They took steps towards this last year by spending mega bucks on Reader who is a legit NT. Couple that with his backup, Josh Toupu, and you have your anchor on the DL. I think Hubbard could be okay in a 3-4 still, but we need that other true 3-4 DE to put opposite Hubbard to eat up blocks to allow the LB'ers to roam free. Problem is, our LB room is still very green and not shown a lot yet to make you encouraged other than Wilson.

You are right, that will improve things, but it also bails out the mighty poor for them to keep more of their players leaving less getting sent to FA as well as creating more bidding wars for FA. So yeah, I think if they do it right, they can still do most of this. Burrow is the great equalizer. As his salary grows we may start to lose a player here or there because by the time he hits free agency and if he is the player we believe him to be, he will be making $40+ million a year. You have to pay to compete right this moment, because I think Burrow is still good enough to take us deep in the playoffs, but his surrounding team is not. Load up now while he is as cheap as he will ever be, and try to compete in the next 3 to 4 years. After that, you better draft really well and streamline your contracts while holding on to your most key pieces for the scheme.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I imagine there will be some competition for some of those guys.

would prioritize the OL, but the defense is in deep need too.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Kyle Rudolph was released also. Isn't he from around the Cincinnati area? Maybe provide good depth/starter to go after Chase instead if he is available.

No matter what, 1 of those 3 guys will be available with our pick, because I can't imagine a world where 2 QB's don't go in the top 4 picks. If all 3 are gone, I don't even know what we should do. Well, I know, trade down with a team wanting that 2nd QB (Wilson/Fields), but that doesn't seem like a normal Bengal move. Maybe go Micah Parsons at that point if we are not trading down, and all 3 players are gone?

 

[Cincyfan78]

Kyle Rudolph was released also. Isn't he from around the Cincinnati area? Maybe provide good depth/starter to go after Chase instead if he is available.

No matter what, 1 of those 3 guys will be available with our pick, because I can't imagine a world where 2 QB's don't go in the top 4 picks. If all 3 are gone, I don't even know what we should do. Well, I know, trade down with a team wanting that 2nd QB (Wilson/Fields), but that doesn't seem like a normal Bengal move. Maybe go Micah Parsons at that point if we are not trading down, and all 3 players are gone?

Local guy, had a hell of a career.

No thanks. This is one of those contracts I was talking about. He's clearly a guy on the downside of his career. I wouldn't really bank on him adding the kind of explosiveness and agility needed for this offense to really kick into gear. Hell of a player at one time, but that time was a few years ago.