Cincinnati Bengals' Blueprint for Winning Free Agency
The Cincinnati Bengals have made an appearance in the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. However, the team has also failed to win a single playoff game in that span.
Clearly, the Bengals have a proverbial hump to overcome.
This is why Cincinnati cannot afford to sit idle when the 2015 NFL free-agency period begins on March 10.
According to Spotrac.com, the Bengals are projected to have around $38.5 million in salary-cap space when the new league year kicks off. This doesn't mean that Cincinnati needs to go out and chase big-name free agents in order to push for a playoff run. However, it does leave the Bengals with few excuses for not looking to the open market to bolster the existing roster.
No team is going to win a championship during the offseason. For a good-but-not-great team like Cincinnati, however, a solid foray into free agency can lift the organization past the pack of the above-average.
With this idea in mind, let's take a look at some potentially ideal free-agency moves for the Bengals in 2015.
Grab a Pass-Rusher
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The Bengals ranked dead last in sacks in 2014 with 20 on the season. This is not good enough for an AFC North contender, and certainly not enough for a team looking to make a serious postseason run.
I fully expect the Bengals to address their pass-rushing issues early in the draft. If Cincinnati is looking for real free-agent impact, however, adding a pass-rusher would be a terrific initial move.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (10.0 sacks in 2014) is just 26 years old and has the potential to make an immediate impact. In addition, grabbing Hughes would prevent him from landing with a division rival like the Cleveland Browns.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine spent time with Hughes as the Bills defensive coordinator before coming to Cleveland. There may be some interest from both parties in a reunion. "He's a players' coach," Hughes said of Pettine last season, per Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "He knows how to have fun when it's time and he knows when it's time to get serious and work."
If the Bengals find Hughes off the table, they could turn to a guy like New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (12.5 sacks in 2014) or Browns linebacker Jabaal Sheard (23.0 sacks in his first four seasons).
Sheard has spent the past two seasons as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Considering the Bengals primarily operate out of a 4-3 base and Sheard racked up 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons as a 4-3 defensive end, this could be a solid fit.
Regardless of the route taken, the Bengals need to find a way to upgrade a pass rush that was worst in the league a season ago.
Add a Veteran Quarterback
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Cincinnati backup quarterback Jason Campbell is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
On the surface, this doesn't seem like a very big deal. The Bengals have their starter in former TCU star Andy Dalton and a young developmental prospect in A.J. McCarron.
Campbell's departure, however, would leave the Bengals without a veteran to mentor the two youngsters or a capable backup with starting experience. Drafting another quarterback would fail to fill either of these roles, so the Bengals need to turn to free agency.
Unfortunately, this year's crop of free-agent quarterbacks isn't especially exciting. The list of experienced veterans that would likely be willing to accept a backup role begins with the likes of Matt Moore, Tarvaris Jackson and Shaun Hill.
In reality, Cincinnati's best bet here would be to re-sign Campbell. Not only does he have a year as Dalton's backup under his belt, but he also has experience starting under offensive coordinator Hue Jackson when the two were with the Oakland Raiders.
Add a Complementary Receiver
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Injuries were an issue for the Bengals receiving corps in 2014. Cincinnati is set to lose wideouts Dane Sanzenbacher, Brandon Tate and Greg Little (32 combined catches last season) in free agency.
For these reasons, it only makes sense to go after a veteran wideout in order to bolster the depth chart.
The key here is not to chase a big-money free agent. The Bengals have their No. 1 and No. 2 receivers already on the roster in A.J. Green and Mohamed Sanu, respectively.
What Cincinnati needs to add is a moderately priced receiver who can serve as a reserve or complementary option. Guys like Miami Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline, Atlanta Falcons wideout Harry Douglas or Tennessee Titans receiver Nate Washington could fit the bill.
Cincinnati could also target a receiver that brings kick-return ability.
"That's an area we would always like to fill," head coach Marvin Lewis said of adding a returner, per Coley Harvey of ESPN.com.
If the Bengals decide to replace Tate as primary kick returner with a free agent, the team could look to add former Baltimore Ravens receiver/returner Jacoby Jones or former San Francisco 49ers returner Ted Ginn.
Jones would be especially attractive, as he brings AFC North experience.
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Avoid Overspending on Jermaine Gresham
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While Cincinnati is busy examining its pass-catching options, the team must be careful not to overvalue starting tight end Jermaine Gresham.
Gresham is set to hit the open market after spending five seasons with the Bengals. During that time, he hauled in 280 passes 2,722 yards and 24 touchdowns. This is very good production for a tight end, but the Bengals shouldn't go out of their way to retain Gresham.
Gresham was ranked just 37th overall among tight ends by Pro Football Focus in 2014. It's a solid ranking, but not a ranking that warrants an elite contract.
Considering Gresham's production and relative youth (he will turn 27 this offseason), he is likely to be among the most heavily sought-after tight ends in free agency this season. Cincinnati has its future starter in 2013 first-round pick Tyler Eifert. Offering Gresham an enticing contract to stick around simply doesn't make sense.
I don't really expect the Bengals to make a significant effort to retain Gresham, of course. However, officially passing the torch over to Eifert should be part of Cincinnati's free-agency game plan.
Spend Money on an Inside Linebacker
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Set to join Gresham on the open market is starting middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. While his pending departure would leave a hole on the roster, it would also give the Bengals an opportunity to find an upgrade.
Maualuga was ranked 27th overall among inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus in 2014. Ranked at No. 13 was Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Brandon Spikes.
Spikes is set to become an unrestriced free agent and should be Cincinnati's No. 1 target at the position. Spikes spent four seasons with the New England Patriots and can relay to his teammates what it is like to be a part of a perennial contender.
He will also be just 28 years old at the start of the 2015 season and should have several good playing years left. Going after him will likely require a substantial financial commitment (he earned $3.25 million in 2014), but this is one area where Cincinnati shouldn't be afraid to spend a little.
If Spikes cannot be had, a guy like David Harris of the New York Jets or Jamari Lattimore would be a solid fallback option.
Don't Be Afraid to Make a Splash
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Last offseason, the Bengals' free-agent haul was headlined by the likes of backup offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse and backup quarterback Jason Campbell.
Hooray.
While these were solid, thrifty moves, they didn't help Cincinnati overcome the first-round playoff hurdle. They certainly didn't help generate excitement.
This offseason, the Bengals should try going hard after a top-tier playmaker like Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh or Darrelle Revis (assuming he finds his way away from the New England Patriots).
Yes, this would require the Bengals to throw money at an already strong position. However, it might bring the type of upgrade necessary to finally earn Cincinnati a postseason victory.
At the very least, it might be enough to give fans and players a reason to believe that a postseason victory is at least possible.
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