Now that we’re firmly in a quiet stretch for the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s a good idea to step back and take a look at some stock fluctuations.
This offseason was a wild one for the Bengals with the long-planned roster blowout largely occurring thanks to departures and additions via free agency and the draft.
Here’s a running stock report on some of the most notable movers.
Stock Up: Duke Tobin
Quite an offseason for the effective general manager of the Bengals.
Tobin spearheaded the charge into free agency with big signings like D.J. Reader and Trae Waynes, comboing with Zac Taylor to remake the roster. He then executed a very unorthodox draft from his house, landing Joe Burrow and overall a well-reviewed draft class.
Stock Down: Billy Price
Price, a former first-round pick, lost his gig at center last year and then didn’t get much of a shot at guard. Left guard figures to belong to Michael Jordan next season and the team brought on Xavier Su’a-Filo for the right side. Hakeem Adeniji was also one of the team’s best values in the draft, creating even more competition for roster spots.
Stock Up: Geno Atkins
The Bengals want a reduced role for Atkins in 2020 — so he can be even more effective. But besides limiting his exposure and not overworking him, the team also likely helped to make him even more effective next season via the arrival of D.J. Reader. Atkins and Reader is one of the scariest interior fronts in the NFL.
Stock Down: Jordan Evans
Evans feels like the last man standing at linebacker. He may have an experience edge over other guys going into the summer. But Evans is surrounded by new arrivals like free agent Josh Bynes and rookies Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey and even undrafted Marcel Spears. He’s going to need an incredible offseason to stick.
Stock Up: Jessie Bates
On paper, Bates should be freer in 2020 to go to work in Lou Anarumo’s scheme. The Bengals brought on two new starting corners with Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander, then added Vonn Bell in free agency to help address the other safety spot and subpackages. Bates continues on a developmental upswing and should have better surroundings, which has his arrow pointing up.
Stock Down: Non-Boyd, Higgins WRs
With the exception of Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins, every wideout on the roster has major question marks in 2020. With A.J. Green and John Ross it’s health — and the fact the Bengals just added a guy they liked as a first-rounder in Higgins. And after those four names, the likes of Auden Tate, Alex Erickson, Mike Thomas, Stanley Morgan and a handful of others are about to partake in a serious competition for roster spots this summer. While the position as a whole could end up being a strength next season, the actual individual stock of most guys looks murky at best.
Stock Up: Joe Mixon
How great is 2020 going to be for Mixon? He should have a better offensive line in front of him finally, largely thanks to the arrival of Jonah Williams. He has another year in Zac Taylor’s approach too. And perhaps most notably, his complementary passing attack should be more effective, which could mean more room to attack running lanes. And besides all the great stuff here, he’s very clearly a major priority this offseason by the organization for an extension.
