If the Cincinnati Bengals would like to add to the offensive line before training camp, the team is running out of time to make a notable move.
Former possible Bengals target Trai Turner signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after Cincinnati’s AFC North rival cut longtime starter David DeCastro. And the New York Jets sniped a starting-caliber offensive tackle by signing Morgan Moses.
That leaves the free-agent market looking a little dry.
Granted, the Bengals could always look to add DeCastro if he checks out medically, as we argued they should. The team could also just be totally content with the current makeup of the roster and do nothing.
But looking over the free-agent pool, the biggest names left are tackles Mitchell Schwartz, Russell Okung and Rick Wagner, plus interior names like DeCastro, Nick Easton and Austin Reiter.
If the Bengals don’t make a move, that leaves second-rounder Jackson Carman at guard and Quinton Spain and Xavier Su’a-Filo fighting for another guard spot. Billy Price will have a chance to see time at center and guard while Trey Hopkins recovers, plus rookies Trey Hill and D’Ante Smith should be in the mix, too.
Cincinnati continues to hope the return of line coach Frank Pollack provides the biggest boost of all. And while that could prove true, it couldn’t hurt to keep browsing the market for even depth upgrades given the woes of the unit over the years.
