Playing buy or sell on potential Bengals free-agent targets

With the NFL combine in the books the Cincinnati Bengals perspective is free to zoom in on free agency.

With the tampering period quickly approaching, the Bengals could be big players on the market. The focus especially projects to center on the defensive side of the ball.

Here’s a look at a few potential targets and verdicts as to whether the Bengals should pursue at all.

 

LB Joe Schobert

Nov 14, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) runs the ball after an interception during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Mixon wants Schobert so the Bengals should too right?

And the answer is…why not? Schobert isn’t a great player. His own team isn’t interested in bringing him back at his likely market price, which says a lot. But his coverage skills at a position of need would help and it’d signal to fans the rebuilding effort isn’t just talk.

Verdict: Buy

LB Blake Martinez

Dec 15, 2019; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez (50) in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Martinez is a name. He’s “productive” in the sense he has 140 or more tackles in three consecutive seasons. But he’s also let up seven touchdowns in coverage over the last two seasons alone and graded at 58.7 last year at Pro Football Focus. He’s bound to have a big market regardless, but the Bengals should stay away.

Verdict: Sell

LB Cory Littleton

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams runs onto the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

If Schobert is going to have a big market as expected, Littleton’s market is going to be massive.

And quite frankly, at a certain point, the dollar amount isn’t worth it. Littleton is a great coverage player but gets exploited against the run. And while we’re on the topic of coverage, he gave up seven touchdowns over the last two years. The market will inflate his value because he fits the current trends, but this is a case where the Bengals might be better off with a cheaper alternative.

Verdict: Sell

OLB Shaq Lawson

Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) on the field against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Lawson is a former first-round pick who might be something of a steal as he sits on the second or third tier of free agency behind bigger names.

Yet there’s value here as Lawson now has experience playing on the line and standing up, which fits Lou Anarumo’s multiple look. He had 6.5 sacks last year and could be an invaluable piece in Cincinnati.

Verdict: Buy

OG Joe Thuney

Dec 21, 2019; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney (62) looks to block against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The idea of Thuney sounds great — he’s highly graded in the passing game and the Patriots probably won’t retain him. But he’s at left guard where the Bengals are comfortable with the idea of Michael Jordan or Billy Price and he’s going to have a massive market. The Bengals might be better off spending on the right side of the line — if they spend at all on the unit.

Verdict: Sell

OT Bryan Bulaga

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) during Packers training camp at the Don Hutson Center Monday, August 27, 2018 in Ashwaubenon, Wis.636852581681563421-uscpcent02-71njzlspn91fk5i25wv-original.jpg

Bulaga is more Cincinnati’s speed if he’s available. He’s also been tabbed as the perfect fit for the Bengals. Bulaga is older now and might not get away from his current team. But if the Bengals want to pay up and move on from Bobby Hart, it buys them one to three years of solid play in front of Joe Burrow.

Verdict: Buy

CB Kendall Fuller

Dec 15, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) takes the field during player introductions before the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bengals go with rebuilding the secondary, Fuller is a former high-end prospect with positional versatility who makes plenty of sense. He isn’t the biggest name, probably shoving him to the second wave of free agency. He’s also been suggested as a free-agent target for the Bengals.

Verdict: Buy

CB Chris Harris

DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: Chris Harris Jr. #25 of the Denver Broncos walks on the field before a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Harris might be the biggest-name corner on the market this year. He’s been criminally underrated for a long time and if the Bengals want to spend big on a short-term deal, he’s the one. But he’s also going on 31 years old and didn’t grade at even a 70 last year at PFF. There are other options if the Bengals want to make a big splash.

Verdict: Sell 

CB Logan Ryan

Nov 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) has a pass broken up by Tennessee Titans cornerback Logan Ryan (26) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan is another big-expenditure candidate who makes a little more sense. He’s only 29 and would lock down the slot for the Bengals after the departure of Darqueze Dennard. That doesn’t solve a potential problem at boundary, but it also enables the team to take it slow with Darius Phillips while also letting him run wild on returns.

Verdict: Buy

DL Derek Wolfe

Dec 1, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) is helped off the field in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bengals want to add a rotational force up front who has plenty of versatility, Wolfe makes some sense. He’s 30 years old and still appears to have some good football in front of him. The fact he played at Cincinnati and is big name for fans sure doesn’t hurt. He should also fall into the price bracket the Bengals might not mind paying.

Verdict: Buy