After the first ten revolving-door days of NFL free agency, here is one person’s roster re-set and pure speculation on what could be next at each position. Be aware that the Bengals are still immersed in setting their starting lineups and depth. (Number of NFL seasons in parenthesis.)
QUARTERBACKS
PROJECTED STARTER: Joe Burrow (2)
BACKUPS: Brandon Allen (5), Kyle Shurmur (1)
WHAT’S NEXT? The great news here is that the Bengals felt encouraged enough about Burrow’s rehab to end the Ryan Finley Era. Burrow has vowed to start the regular-season opener, but no one seems to know at what point he’ll be back in August when it looks like they’ll play three pre-season games. So they could pick up another young veteran to get them through, but Allen would likely still be the unquestioned two.
WIDE RECEIVERS
PROJECTED STARTERS: Tyler Boyd (6), Tee Higgins (2)
BACKUPS: Auden Tate (4), Mike Thomas (6), Stanley Morgan (3), Trenton Irwin (1), Scotty Washington (1)
WHAT’S NEXT: Tate is the next man up in a three-receiver set, but could a speedy outside guy be on the agenda? They figure to add here, particularly in the draft. The Bengals haven’t officially announced the Mike Thomas signing, but it’s been reported after his 13-catch season and special teams role last year. With the vacancy of backup slot receiver Alex Erickson, replacing their primary punt returner of the past five seasons looks to fall to cornerback Darius Phillips at the moment.
OFFENSIVE LINE
PROJECTED STARTERS: LT Jonah Williams (3), LG Xavier Su’a-Filo (8), C Trey Hopkins (6), RG Quinton Spain (7), RT Riley Reiff (10)
BACKUPS: G-T Hakeem Adeniji (2), T Fred Johnson (3), C Billy Price (4), G Michael Jordan (3), G Keaton Sutherland (3), T Isaiah Prince (2).
WHAT’S NEXT?: We think this lineup may be blown to bits at the draft. Don’t count out Adeniji’s athleticism at one of the guards. The signing of Reiff gives them flexibility, maybe moving him inside. Stay tuned. Anything goes. Spain’s return hasn’t been officially announced by the team, but has been reported.
