Offseason Primer: Ravens Still Looking for Weapons for Lamar Jackson, with Cap Space to Spend

Final season proved one other difficult marketing campaign for the 4-11-1 Cincinnati Bengals. Not solely did they end final within the AFC North for the third consecutive yr, however in addition they misplaced quarterback Joe Burrow, the No. 1-overall decide within the 2020 NFL Draft, to a season-ending knee harm Week 11.

Burrow was having a robust rookie season previous to the harm, passing for two,688 yards and 13 touchdowns with 5 interceptions via ten video games. He additionally demonstrated his mobility including three scores on the bottom.

The previous Heisman winner wanted that mobility all through the season, as he was sacked 32 occasions. Strengthening the offensive line to higher defend Burrow sooner or later shall be paramount for the Bengals, a purpose they’ll probably tackle each via free company and the draft.

Burrow additionally operated the vast majority of the season with out the providers of working again Joe Mixon, who noticed motion in simply six video games as a result of a foot harm. Mixon rushed for a career-low 428 yards and three touchdowns.

Whereas Mixon shall be again wholesome in 2021, broad receiver A.J. Inexperienced is predicted to be enjoying elsewhere subsequent season. Inexperienced remained comparatively wholesome and performed in all 16 video games, however posted profession lows throughout the board in receiving yards (523) and touchdowns (2). With Inexperienced set to hit free company in just some months, he’ll finish his Bengals profession because the second most prolific receiver in franchise historical past, trailing solely Chad Johnson.

Inexperienced might not be the one franchise mainstay the Bengals half methods with this offseason. Because the youth motion in Cincinnati continues, they might additionally transfer on from defensive sort out Geno Atkins. The 2-time All-Professional was just about invisible this previous season and noticed his snap counts constantly drop week-by-week. He recorded only a single sort out and a quarterback hit in eight video games. Nonetheless below contract the following two seasons for $24.6 million, Cincinnati and the 32-year-old are probably headed for a divorce, both by commerce or launch.

The Bengals’ protection confronted their justifiable share of struggles themselves, however free security Jessie Bates III was one of many lone vibrant spots. Bates led the crew with 109 whole tackles, three interceptions and 15 passes defended. He was honored because the Bengals’ 2020 Workforce MVP by the Cincinnati Chapter of the Professional Soccer Writers of America.

Cincinnati’s defensive struggles can largely be pinned on their lackluster move rush, which recorded the fewest sacks in soccer with 17. Buying a distinction maker alongside the line of defense is on the prime of their wishlist.

Cincinnati could have loads of alternatives to retool and add expertise with eight whole picks in April’s draft, together with the No. 5-overall choice.

Notable Free Brokers:

WR A.J. Inexperienced
SS Shawn Williams
WR John Ross
CB Mackensie Alexander
CB William Jackson
P Kevin Huber
WR Alex Erickson
TE Cethan Carter
S Brandon Wilson
G Alex Redmond
Okay Randy Bullock
CB LeShaun Sims
ILB Josh Bynes
DT Christian Covington
DT Mike Daniels
LS Clark Harris
DE Margus Hunt
DT Xavier Williams
WR Mike Thomas
QB Brandon Allen
DE Carl Lawson
CB Tony Brown*
RB Samaje Perine
OLB Jordan Evans

Cap Commitments:

Cincinnati has an energetic cap of $148,458,547 coming into the 2021 offseason, in response to Spotrac. The Bengals have the fifth-most cap area within the league at $34,224,143.