Bengals 2021 NFL Draft primer as protecting Joe Burrow the priority
By Dylan Grimm
What moves have the Bengals made this offseason?
The good news for Bengals fans however is that Burrow has been throwing since late February and has been doing well in his recovery and comeback. The major focus for the Bengals should be surrounding Burrow with as many high-level offensive linemen as possible and they have already begun that process by signing veteran tackle Riley Reiff from the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bengals have also released former right tackle Bobby Hart who was an up and down player while in Cincy and resigned guard Quintin Spain to a one-year deal. While there have been some minor improvements there is still tons of room for improvement on that offensive line.
Bengals fans will have to get used to a changing of the guard with veterans already on new teams or in free agency. The team has moved on from longtime captains and veterans in Carl Lawson, Geno Atkins, Giovanni Bernard, A.J. Green, William Jackson III, and of course Carlos Dunlap was traded last offseason to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Bengals have brought in a number of reinforcements though especially on the defensive side of the ball having resigned Jalen Davis, Brandon Wilson, Tony Brown, Mike Daniels, and Jordan Evan’s while adding new faces such as Trey Hendrickson, Larry Ogunjobi, Ricardo Allen, Mike Hilton, Eli Apple, and Chidobe Awuzie.
The 2021 offseason was one in which we saw the Bengals sit out on day one of free agency and let the bigger dominoes fall before making their moves. The Bengals are hoping that their free agency acquisitions can stay healthy and contribute now while also expecting two key signings from last season to come back and contribute in defensive tackle D.J. Reader and cornerback Trae Wayne’s.
Zac Taylor is officially on the hot seat after a 6-25-1 start through his first two seasons. Look for the Bengals to draft offensive heavy this 2021 NFL Draft after going defensive heavy in free agency. Offensive tackle, interior offensive line, wide receiver, and or tight end are all major offensive needs for the Bengals heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.