Hunter Austin breaks down the team needs of the Cincinnati Bengals, letting you know where the team’s focus will be this offseason during free agency and the 2012 NFL draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals made the playoffs this year with a rookie quarterback after parting ways with Carson Palmer. The future looks bright for this young team and with a few added pieces they could make the playoffs on a regular basis.
Key Free Agents: Cedric Benson (RB), Manny Lawson (LB), Bobbie Williams (OG), Pat Sims (DT)
Running Back: The Bengals may or may not elect to re-sign Benson pending on what they plan on doing with their draft picks. I can see the Bengals drafting a running back with one their two first round picks and continuing the theme of building young talent for the long haul.
Offensive Guard: This is where the Bengals will use their other first round draft pick. Bobbie Williams will certainly not be back next year, and the Bengals will be able to find a good guard in the first round to protect their new star quarterback.
Cornerback: The Bengal’s missed Johnathan Joseph this year and could really use another consistent cornerback. Nate Clements and Pacman Jones are not the long-term answer if the Bengals want to continue their good play on defense.
Wide Receiver: I would really like to see the Bengal’s go and get a nice compliment for A.J. Green. Jerome Simpson might be doing lots of jail time in the future and the Bengals don’t have another WR on their roster that had over 40 catches last season. The late rounds of the draft is a place they could steal a good possession WR that runs clean route and can draw attention across the middle.
Middle Linebacker: It turns out the Bengals got the worst of the USC linebacker trio that came in to the league several years ago. Rey Maualuga didn’t even finish in the top 40 in tackles this season and the Bengal’s need a leader who will consistently make plays in the middle of that defense.
