Grading the Cincinnati Bengals' Free-Agency Moves so Far
The 2015 NFL free-agency period is only one week old, but an awful lot has changed around the league landscape in that time.
An early flurry of signings and trades turned heads and dominated headlines as one big-name player after another found himself on a new roster. Not every team, however, opted for flash and shock value when the free-agent market opened at 4 p.m. ET on March 10.
The Cincinnati Bengals, for example, patiently pursued smart, financially reasonable signings in order to improve on an already playoff-caliber roster. For a team that has reached the postseason in each of the past four years, there would be no chase for a Ndamukong Suh and no trades for Brandon Marshall or Sam Bradford.
In fact, most of the Bengals' early moves this offseason have come under the radar. Of course, that doesn't mean they don't bring along impact potential. Over the next few pages, we will examine and grade each of Cincinnati's signings and re-signings to come thus far in free agency.
K Mike Nugent
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Locking up kicker Mike Nugent for another two years was an important move for the Bengals to make. The Ohio State product connected on 78.8 percent of his field-goal attempts last season and was a perfect 39-of-39 on extra-point attempts.
"He brings a level of professionalism to the kicker position and is somebody who we can count on," Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said of Nugent, via Paul Dehner Jr. of Cincinnati.com.
Having a reliable kicker is a lot better than having a question mark at the position. The bottom line is that Nugent isn't an elite specialist, but the Bengals would have no way to predict what they could get via free agency or the draft in terms of reliability.
According to Spotrac.com, Nugent's new deal is for two years and $3.5 million.
Grade: C
LB Rey Maualuga
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Cincinnati prevented middle linebacker Rey Maualuga from ever sniffing free agency, inking him to a new three-year, $15 million deal last Thursday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:
"One potential free agent off market: Bengals and MLB Rey Maualuga reached agreement on a 3-year deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2015"
Maualuga ranked 27th overall among inside linebackers last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He excels as a run-stopper and would have easily been one of the more desirable free-agent linebackers had he reached the open market.
Despite missing four games, Maualuga finished the 2014 season with 59 combined tackles, four passes defended and an interception. Keeping a guy like him on the roster is the type of move that consistent franchises want to make.
Grade: B+
LB A.J. Hawk
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Former Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk agreed to a two-year deal with Cincinnati on the first day of free agency. In doing so, he became the Bengals' first outside free agent of the offseason.
"Excited for @OfficialAJHawk agreeing to terms with his hometown team, the @Bengals on a 2 year deal
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 10, 2015"
The Packers released him in late February after a relatively down season in 2014. According to Pro Football Focus, Hawk ranked just 52nd overall among inside linebackers for the season.
Though the 31-year-old linebacker may no longer be a legitimate NFL starter, he brings both experience and depth to the Bengals linebacker corps. I fully expect him to see time in the rotation behind Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict, who missed 11 games last year due to injury.
Hawk has nine years worth of pro experience and finished his Packers career as the franchise's all-time tackles leader with 1,118 career stops.
Grade: B-
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G Clint Boling
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Cincinnati made another key move in bringing back starting guard Clint Boling, though it had to beat out the Minnesota Vikings to do so. The Vikings, of course, are now coached by former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
"The Vikings are making a push to sign guard Clint Boling in free agency and he is said to be strongly considering them," Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press wrote before the onset of free agency.
It now appears, however, that the Vikings will have to look elsewhere for guard help, as the Bengals and Boling agreed on a new deal the first night of free agency.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal is for five years and worth $26 million.
"Bengals and OL Clint Boling reached agreement on a five-year, $26 million deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2015"
Boling was ranked 19th overall among guards in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus. Due to Boling's ability, experience with the team and relatively moderate price tag, this looks like a smart signing.
Grade: A
OT Eric Winston
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Reserve offensive tackle Eric Winston returns to the Bengals after a short stint with the club. The player broke the news on Twitter:
"Excited to say I'm headed back to the Bengals! #whodey
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) March 10, 2015"
Cincinnati signed Winston last December after injuries took their toll on the offensive line. He appeared in four games, with two starts. He is a nine-year veteran with 121 games of starting experience under his belt.
Winston's deal is for one year and $950,000, according to Spotrac.com.
Starting right tackle Andre Smith missed seven games last season due to injury. This makes the re-signing of Winston a great insurance move (at a fantastic price), even if the guy doesn't have a whole lot left in the tank.
Grade: C+
DE Michael Johnson
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Defensive end Michael Johnson became a free-agent target for Cincinnati immediately after his release from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Johnson spent his first five years in Cincinnati before signing a five-year, $43.75 million deal with the Buccaneers as a free agent last offseason. Another $7 million of his contract would have become fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2015 league year.
This is a lot of guaranteed money for a guy who amassed just 27 tackles and four sacks in 14 appearances a season ago. This is why cutting or trading Johnson before Day 3 of free agency made sense for Tampa.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Bengals and Johnson agreed to a new four-year contract on Sunday:
"Johnson's new deal with the Bengals is for four years. Homecoming for him. Bengals looking for pass rush
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 15, 2015"
Johnson's best season came in 2012, when he racked up 11.5 sacks for the Bengals. If he can replicate this type of production, then his new four-year, $20 million deal is a bargain for Cincinnati. If he has a year like he did in 2014, then the Bengals lose.
Overall, it's a relatively low-risk gamble on a guy with plenty of experience playing for the franchise.
Grade: B+
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