CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t the busiest team during the NFL’s annual free-agent free-for-all, but they were among the top five.
They took steps toward addressing the loss of key wide receivers Marvin Jones and Mohammed Sanu by retaining Brandon Tate and landing former Patriot Brandon LaFell, who became the 10th player to join or stay with the team.
The Bengals also shored up the defense by adding veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby from Cleveland, while retaining offensive tackle Eric Winston, who will help make up for the loss of Andre Smith to Minnesota.
While some say the Bengals still need to further deepen the receiver pool, the team’s work at that position and on defense and the franchise tradition of focusing on controlling the line of scrimmage – along with the aging of tackle of Andrew Whitworth, who isn’t getting any younger, though doesn’t show it – suggests that drafting an offensive lineman with their first pick on April 28 wouldn’t be a surprise.
The Bengals also lost a Pro Bowler from their secondary when free-agent safety Reggie Nelson signed a deal with the Oakland Raiders. The 33-year old Nelson led the team with eight interceptions.
Without Nelson, the Bengals will get decidedly younger in the defensive backfield with Shawn Williams likely taking his place. Williams had nine tackles and a pass defensed when Nelson left the AFC wild-card game against the Steelers with an ankle injury. Corners Leon Hall and Adam Jones remain key contributors, but their age might urge the Bengals to shore up those positions later in the draft.
Veteran defensive lineman Wallace Gilberry was a free-agent loss, but the Bengals have shored up plenty of depth at that position in the past two drafts.
Cincinnati’s roster is as deep and established as it has been in years. Rather than entering the draft with a laundry list of needs, the Bengals are looking to add depth and youth at key positions.
And, while quarterback certainly isn’t among those needs with Andy Dalton set to return from injury and AJ McCarron emerging as one of the league’s most coveted backups, the Bengals did take a close look at Ohio State’s Cardale Jones as a possible addition.
Bottom line is the Bengals spent more than $60 million to retain key free agents and fill holes via free agency. With the additions, retentions, and overall depth, Cincinnati is in a great position to put last season’s postseason meltdown behind it and take another crack at ending a playoff victory drought that has spanned more than two and a half decades.