Free agency priorities
Quarterback
Many seem to think Andy Dalton can start next year, but I have my doubts. 2nd round picks at quarterbacks rarely do well in their first year in the league. That’s why they fell to the 2nd round. Just ask Jimmy Clausen. I’m not saying he can’t be the long term solution, but it’s in the best interest of the team to try to bring Carson Palmer out of retirement or explore stopgap options through trade and free agency.
Wide Receiver
Jerome Simpson, AJ Green, Andre Caldwell, Jordan Shipley, Ryan Whalen. What do those 5 receivers have in common? None of them have very much experience. Terrell Owens is not coming back and Chad Ochocinco has a greater chance of suiting up for an MLS team than playing for the Bengals so they’ll need to find a veteran through free agency.
Running Back
Jay Finley and Bernard Scott can’t carry the load so they’ll either try to resign Cedric Benson or go after someone like DeAngelo Williams or Michael Bush.
Draft Needs
Quarterback
Head Coach Marvin Lewis loves Carson Palmer, but I am not a fan. He simply doesn’t have the arm strength necessary to be an elite signal caller thanks to all of his arm injuries. He floats way too many balls, which leads to underthrows, interceptions, and pick sixes. Palmer will probably he back next year, in fact he’s all but assured he’ll be back as the starter next year, but they need to draft a developmental quarterback behind him.
Drafted Andy Dalton (#35)
Defensive End
The play of Carlos Dunlap was one of the few bright points of this 4-12 season for the Bengals. The 2nd rookie pick rookie out of Florida had 9.5 sacks despite not playing regularly until week 10. However, outside of him, they only has 17.5 sacks. 2009 3rd round pick Michael Johnson hasn’t panned out and though Antawn Odom can be an effective pass rushing defensive end when healthy, he’s also had back-to-back years end in season ending injuries and he seemed slow and sluggish last year even before he was hurt. They need a defensive end of the future opposite Dunlap.
Running Back
This was Cedric Benson’s contract year. Apparently no one told him because the former first round pick only averaged 3.5 yards per carry and also had some legal issues. If he’s not brought back, they’ll need to add a running back because Bernard Scott doesn’t seem like he can carry the load. They can address this position through the draft in the mid rounds (we’ve seen teams get talented running backs in the 3rd and 4th rounds a lot in the past) or they can add a free agent like Michael Bush.
Drafted Jay Finley (#246)
Outside Linebacker
Inside linebacker Dhani Jones may be best known as the most random athlete to ever do a popular commercial, but he’s also a free agent this offseason and the soon to be 33 year old likely won’t be brought back so 2009 2nd round pick Rey Maualuga can move back inside to his natural position. That would leave a hole at outside linebacker opposite Keith Rivers. They drafted Roddrick Muckelroy in the 4th round last year with the intention of giving him a shot at winning the job in 2011, but they may bring in some competition for him.
Drafted Dontay Moch (#66)
Offensive Tackle
Andre Smith was supposed to be this team’s left tackle by now after being drafted 6th overall in 2009, but injuries and overall inconsistency in his play have kept him at right tackle. He might not even be fit to play there so they need depth at the very least behind him.
Safety
Roy Williams, Chris Crocker, Gibril Wilson, Reggie Nelson, and Chinedum Ndukwe all play significant time at safety last year, but no one stood out and injuries ravaged their safety depth. They could be looking for at least one young safety to try to step up and become the playmaker this team needs in the middle of the secondary.
Drafted Robert Sands (#134)
Wide Receiver
Terrell Owens is a free agent and the Bengals already said they won’t be bringing him back. Chad Ochocinco has a team option for 2011, but after a down year they may decide he’s not worth it and let him leave. Jerome Simpson really stepped up with 18 catches for 247 yards and 3 scores in the Bengals’ final 2 games last year, with Ocho and Owens out, but across from him, options are limited.Jordan Shipley had a good year, but might be best off staying in the slow. Andre Caldwell caught 15 passes for 270 yards in their final three, but a receiving corps of Simpson, Caldwell, and Shipley is extremely young and inexperienced and thus could be very inconsistent. Palmer might want a veteran guy brought in in free agency if they let Ocho go, and even if they don’t, I could see them adding a young receiver through the draft if they’re not sold on Caldwell or Simpson.
Drafted AJ Green (#4), Drafted Ryan Whalen (#167)
Guard
Part of the reason Cedric Benson struggled on the ground was because of poor interior blocking. Also Bobbie Williams will be 35 next season.
Drafted Clint Boling (#101)
Center
Evan Cook is one of the worst centers in the league and in a division with 3 3-4 teams, the Bengals really need a dominating center to matchup with big nose tackles. If they aren’t sold on 2010 7th round pick Reggie Stephens as their center of the future, they could draft another one or bring one in in free agency.
Football Fan Spot 