The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back and return to the playoffs, following a 9-8 season. Their first order of business was to bring back depth along the offensive line.
Cincinnati Bengals News Today
Cody Ford signed with Cincinnati ahead of the 2023 season, playing in 17 games and starting one. Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison reported that Ford will return, signing a one-year deal worth $1.1 million to stay in Cincinnati.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Ford with the 38th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
After appearing at right tackle, left guard, and right guard throughout his time in Buffalo — making appearances in 38 games with 29 starts — Ford was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22, 2022, for a 2023 fifth-round selection. He played in 11 games and started three.
There’s that and more on the Bengals.
NFL Free Agency 2024 Mock Draft: Cardinals Grab Michael Pittman Jr.
Pro Football Network’s own Dallas Robinson created a free agency mock draft that matches players to certain teams based on fit and order of the actual 2024 NFL Draft. Teams in the mock draft aren’t bound to their actual cap space, but teams with little cap space were not matched up with the top free agents.
Cincinnati ranked 21st in points allowed per game (22.6), 31st in yardage allowed per game (374.6), and 26th in rushing yardage allowed per game (126.2). It probably wouldn’t hurt the team to add on the defensive side of the football.
“The Bengals could look for a receiver to replace Higgins [long-term], but with no such option available, they’ll try to improve a defense that ranked dead last in yards per play allowed and fifth-worst in rushing success rate allowed,” Robinson wrote. “Leonard Williams is still one of the best run-defending defensive tackles in the league and can also help push the pocket from the interior.”
Williams played in 18 games during the 2023 season between the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks, posting 62 tackles (37 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, two pass deflections and 5.5 sacks. Cincinnati has the second most salary cap space with $48,551,440 open for free agent signings, per Over The Cap. Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac projects that Williams will earn a three-year, $60 million deal with $42 million in guarantees.
KEEP READING: 2024 Free Agency Mock Draft
Tony Catalina’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft: J.J. McCarthy Goes to Giants, Amarius Mims Is a Dolphin, and Xavier Worthy Joins Chiefs
Another day and another Pro Football Network mock draft. This one is from Tony Catalina, who has the Bengals selecting All-American tight end Brock Bowers with the 18th pick in the draft.
“The tight end position is an interesting one,” Catalina wrote. “Brock Bowers is a top-five talent, but does the return on investment at the tight end position truly warrant him being selected that high?
“It’s a question teams will struggle with, but not the Bengals. They add an elite weapon to the mix for Burrow, and Bowers helps round out an already quality Cincinnati passing game.”
CONTINUE READING: Catalina’s 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Quarterback Joe Burrow is set to potentially lose a weapon in wide receiver Tee Higgins either this offseason or next. Bowers would provide a potential safety net to the 2021 Pro Bowl quarterback. Bengals tight ends (Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample, Irv Smith Jr., and Mitchell Wilcox) totaled 88 receptions for 686 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
By comparison, Bowers had 56 receptions for 714 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 10 games with Georgia last season.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
