Winds of change continue to shoot through the Cincinnati Bengals.
One of the league’s most adamant backers of the compensatory pick process up and decided to ignore it this offseason. The Bengals made notable free-agency adds that will negate the comp process, which is way out of character for the front office.
Most offseasons, the Bengals only bring back their own and stockpile comp picks. This time? The Bengals went out and added John Miller, who they think can start at guard. They also scooped up cornerback B.W. Webb as depth. The newest signing, Kerry Wynn, will help the rotation rush the passer.
Had they ignored outside free agents, the Bengals were looking at maybe a fifth-round pick for Tyler Kroft, who went to Buffalo. Cedric Ogbuehi looking for a fresh start in Jacksonville might have netted a sixth.
Given the potential return there and the bad comp results lately (a fifth for Andrew Whitworth, a sixth for AJ McCarron), it makes sense the Bengals would ease off and go sign outside players.
Now the question is simple — is this a new approach fans will see in future years, or a one-off because the payoff wasn’t worth it?
