Off-Season Primer - Cincinnati Bengals

2023 Record- (9-8)

In 2023, the Bengals finished 9-8, and in last place in the AFC North. The North was the only division in football to have all 4 teams with a winning record. The season took a turn for the worse in week 11 when starting quarterback Joe Burrow was injured against the Baltimore Ravens and lost for the season. The Bengals did a commendable job still staying above .500 with backup quarterback Jake Browning under center. Browning led the Bengals to a 4-3 finish, but a week 17 loss to Kansas City dropped them from the playoffs for the first time since 2020. With a healthy Joe Burrow expected back, Cincinnati has a chance to go from worst to first with the money to revamp their roster.

The Bengals were odds on favorites at the beginning of the season to win the division, but their hopes were dashed with the loss of Burrow. Look for the team to seek an upgrade for backup Jake Browning and add a few more weapons for Burrow on offense, including bolstering the line. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bengals took several steps backward and were ranked a dismal 31st in overall defense. They will need to improve their secondary, especially at the cornerback position where they were ranked #28 in pass defense and giving up 248.4 yards per game. Their lack of depth was apparent when they suffered several injuries in their secondary. 

Trey Hendrickson is still one of the best defensive ends in football but the rest of the defensive line needs to add pieces to compete in the tough AFC North. 

Draft Picks

Round 1 - (18)

Round 2- (49)

Round 3- (80)

Round 4- (115)

Round 5- (147)

Round 5- (174)

Round 6- (195)

Round 7- (234)

Round 7- (251)

Free Agents

Projected Cap Space - $74MM

WR- Tyler Boyd

DT- D.J. Reader

CB- Chidobe Awuzie

OT- Jonah Williams

WR- Tee Higgins

TE- Irv Smith

DT- Josh Tupou

G- Max Scharping

TE- Drew Sample

RB- Trayveon Williams

QB- A.J. McCarron

LB- Joe Bachie

G- Cody Ford

TE- Mitchell Wilcox

LB- Akeem Davis-Gaither

TE- Tanner Hudson

WR- Trenton Irwin

LS- Cal Adomitis

LB- Markus Bailey

Quarterback - Jake Browning

There is no question that the big free agent that the Bengals will need to re-sign is wide receiver Tee Higgins. Rumors have circulated that Cincinnati may use the franchise tag on Higgins to keep him in the Queen City, but there is no doubt once he hits the market, big offers will be made. 

The Bengals are set to let 2019 first round pick Jonah Williams test free agency. Williams missed his whole rookie season due to injury and has just never realized his first round potential. This will ensure the Bengals will be in the market for a tackle in the draft if they don’t ink one in free agency. 

The tight end position is another place the team will look to improve, and Draft Nation expects the Bengals to be aggressive in getting Burrow some weapons from that position. 

On defense, they are set to lose starters, CB- Chidobe Awuzie, LB-Akeem Davis-Gaither, and DT-D.J. Reader. These are spots that will need to be replaced and upgraded, so look for them to reconstruct a defensive line that was non-existent, minus the dependable play of Trey Hendrickson. 

Biggest Needs 

TE

OT

CB

DT

Edge

Backup QB

The Bengals' first round pick, 18th overall, could come down to whether TE-Brock Bowers is still on the board. Draft Nation thinks if he is, that adding a talent like Bowers to an offense could take Joe Burrow to that next level. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (if re-signed) and Brock Bowers would give Cincinnati a three headed monster as good as any other team possesses. 

Depending on what Cincinnati does in free agency, their main focus in the first round could be a tackle, and this class is loaded. Cincinnati could find a starter during the selection process and will look to add a quality veteran backup to bolster the position.

The Bengals will need to be diligent in rebuilding a defense that cost them several games in 2023. Look for them to sign a defensive tackle and a cornerback as well as drafting to fill holes on the defensive side. Safeties Dax Hill and Jordan Battle are a nice start for the secondary, but they need to add youth on the line, at the linebacker position and at cornerback. 

The Bengals have the money and all their draft picks to turn this around in one season. Joe Burrow staying healthy is a must, so don’t be shocked to see the Bengals throw some big money at a veteran tackle to help with their offensive line. The AFC North is going to be a four team race again in 2024 and their offseason maneuvers may determine their fate in the upcoming campaign.