Bengals Free Agency; Pratt Extended; Bell Gone; Scott Signed

[texbengal]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet
·
47s
The #Bengals are signing a few of their own, reaching deals with LB Joe Bachie and CB Jalen Davis, sources say. Bachie gets a 1-year deal rather than an RFA tender and Davis gets a 2-year deal. Cincy builds depth and continuity.

I figured both would be back but good on Davis for getting 2 years. A little surprising but he’s good in the slot and can play STs too.

[Bengals1181]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
·
14s
The #Bengals will not be tendering RFA TE Mitchell Wilcox, per source. He caught 17 passes and a TD last season. Should have interest.

[texbengal]

Tom Pelissero
@TomPelissero
·
14s
The #Bengals will not be tendering RFA TE Mitchell Wilcox, per source. He caught 17 passes and a TD last season. Should have interest.

Interesting. I think he definitely improved but it sounded like a few PS guys they had last year will get a shot at the #3. I'd expect a draft pick there, too.

And it surely wouldn't shock me if they brought both Sample and Hurst back on short deals.

[Bengalbro]

I have landed on 9 moves to make so we can draft almost anyone in the draft

1. RB-Perine-Splits time at RB

2. TE-Hurst-Starter at TE

3. TE-Oliver-Pass Blocker and catcher and backup TE

4. T-Beachum-Starter at RT and has played LT so he's probably the first backup at LT

5. C/G-McGovern-Competes for LG, primary backup at LG, RG and can play C in a pinch if he doesn't start at LG

6. DL-Fox-Can play 3T and LE

7. S-Bell-Starter at SS

8. S-Massie-Hedge for FS if Hill isn't ready, if Hill is ready he is the backup at FS, SS and Slot CB

9. RB-Veteran/Mixon-Splits time at RB



You do that and you don't have to draft any position for 2023 and can draft BPA

-You need another pass rusher but that can be a 3T or edge

-You need depth at Corner but you can sign a vet after the draft if necessary. If you re-sign Eli Apple to hedge against the Awuzie injury you are even safer but a 1st round corner would essentially be 5th on the depth chart

-You need a backup WR/PR but you can get that after the draft if necessary

[Bengalbro]

Interesting. I think he definitely improved but it sounded like a few PS guys they had last year will get a shot at the #3. I'd expect a draft pick there, too.

And it surely wouldn't shock me if they brought both Sample and Hurst back on short deals.

I think he's back. They just didn't want to pay him 2.5 million. Did the same thing with Stanley Morgan last year. He signed for 2 years 2.295 total.

[membengal]

Co-sign with MW’s long post.

[texbengal]

I think he's back. They just didn't want to pay him 2.5 million. Did the same thing with Stanley Morgan last year. He signed for 2 years 2.295 total.

Makes sense.

I like most of your thoughts on FA although not a Beachum fan. I know you can do worse but don't like the idea of a 33-year old starter at T, even if it's on a part-time basis. That said, he did have a good year and he's historically been a solid pass blocker. Reportedly a good locker room guy and he plays hurt.

Fox would be a nice pickup on the DL... wouldn't be expensive but was quite productive last year and is scheme-versatile. I'm not a McGovern fan but he's still young and might have something... he just never did much in Dallas. But he's serviceable depth and it wasn't like Scharping (except for the Buffalo game) killed it.

And yeah, they need a safety besudes Bell who can slide in a help, and provide a vet presence (along with Bell, who I'm hopeful - and expect - them to re-sign) to both Hill and Anderson. There are some solid guys out there, some of whom will get paid like Bates, Love and Thornton, but others who won't cost as much. Duran Harmon is a guy who has been productive... also like guys like Poyer and Ward, but both are early 30s (altough Mike Thomas is, too).

[Bengalbro]

I am inching toward Kareem Hunt as Mixons replacement but it feels pretty gross.

Devin Singletary makes a ton of sense too.

[texbengal]

I am inching toward Kareem Hunt as Mixons replacement but it feels pretty gross.

Devin Singletary makes a ton of sense too.

James Robinson (ex Jax, ex NYJ) is a guy I would be interested in. Also Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a guy with some history with Joe and he’s a very good receiver.

Both guys are young and both could benefit from a change of scenery.

[Bengals1181]

Tyler Dunne


Free agency nugget to pass along. There’s mutual interest in Jamaal Williams returning to Detroit, but a source told me today that Buffalo, Cincinnati and the New York Jets are all very interested in the running back.


Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing TDs last year.