The Cincinnati Bengals hope a makeover in free agency leads to big things on the field in 2020.
As they should — standing as one of the NFL’s biggest spenders creates expectations. The arrival of the Joe Burrow era only amplifies things.
Here’s a ranking of free-agent impacts for 2020.
7. WR Mike Thomas
It’s a little easy to forget about Thomas — and he has to compete at arguably the deepest position on the depth chart.
But Thomas is a Zac Taylor connection from the Rams who played a key role on special teams last year. He’s got an outside shot at surprising and making the roster, then having an impact.
6. G Xavier Su’a-Filo
Su’a-Filo wasn’t a bad signing — the team had to do something with the right side of the line.
But if the Bengals are going to see a serious uptick in play from the guys up front, it’s largely going to come from left tackle Jonah Williams in his first year. Su’a-Filo should make some headway in the running game but won’t have a massive impact compared to the rest of the free agents.
5. LB Josh Bynes
Bynes might not see a ton of snaps next season. He only played 40 percent of the snaps last year in Baltimore, after all, and Cincinnati has a talented rookie ‘backer class to get on the field.
But Bynes’ impact should still be huge in how he helps those rookies develop and he’ll be a rock when on the field in his role.
4. S Vonn Bell
Bell was a fun luxury add by the Bengals when it seemed the team was done spending.
That luxury could quickly turn to production as Bell hasn’t had a season with less than 80 tackles so far. He’s a production monster when on the field and if he’s used right, it could mean keeping Shawn Williams fresher and letting Jessie Bates be free to do his job well.
3. CB Mackensie Alexander
Alexander has been a steady slot corner for a while now, though slot corners just didn’t have a good trip to free agency (Logan Ryan is still out there, for example).
Call it a steal for the Bengals. Alexander is steady against the run and only allowed 38 completions on 58 targets last year. He’s only let up two touchdowns over the last two seasons. He’s going to quietly be a great presence for a revamped Bengals secondary.
2. CB Trae Waynes
Waynes has had a hard time living up to the expectations of being a borderline top-10 pick.
But not meeting expectations isn’t the same as bad. Waynes fits Lou Anarumo’s defense well and projects to be more reliable in a number of ways than Dre Kirkpatrick.
The hope is the Bengals get more 2018 Waynes (37 completions on 58 targets, one touchdown) instead of 2019 Waynes (71 completions on 96 targets, five touchdowns).
If they do, it’s going to register as a great signing.
1. DL D. J. Reader
Nobody else stood a chance at dethroning D.J. Reader here.
Reader is one of the best young defenders in the NFL outright, hence the 86.7 PFF grade last year. Strong against the run and surprisingly good at putting pressure on passers, Reader has cut weight this offseason in the hopes of being even better.
That, plus joining a pass rush that features Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and others, could help Reader register as one of the best signings of the entire free-agency period.
