Are the Cincinnati Bengals done in free agency?
That’s a question fans probably didn’t think they’d have to ask as Week 2 ends, yet here we are with several new additions since the last review of their performance.
Using the context of two weeks, let’s dole out grades.
D.J. Reader
This grade isn’t going to change.
Reader is an up-and-coming star who was a Tier 1 free agent on most lists. He’s a massive 347 pounds and commands double teams and applies plenty of his own pressure.
Cincinnati had problems getting pressure last year but felt it was one piece away from freeing everybody up to wreak havoc. Reader is that one piece.
Grade: A+
Trae Waynes
The Waynes grade isn’t going to change much either.
Waynes is everything the Bengals want with an outside corner: he’s reliable, doesn’t get a ton of flags and wraps up nicely.
It helps the structure of the deal gets most of the money out of the way early, which is the team protecting itself on the chance of a backfire.
Grade: B
Xavier Su’a-Filo
The Bengals didn’t move to make other adds to the line besides Su’a-Filo, which is a little concerning.
Which isn’t to say this is a terrible add. The contract itself isn’t costly. But if nothing else, the ho-hum nature of this signing speaks to just how comfortable the Bengals are with their current players on the line.
Grade: C
Mackensie Alexander
Chalk up Alexander as one of the bigger wins of free agency outright.
Paying just $4 million over one season for a quality slot corner is a win. The Bengals get a starter who is aggressive against the run and doesn’t draw a ton of flags. He might end up staying healthier than Darqueze Dennard too.
Grade: A+
Josh Bynes
The Bynes signing earned a ton of rave reviews.
Why not? He’s a 30-year-old veteran who is stout against the run on a two-down basis. He hasn’t played a ton of snaps over the last few seasons but he was one of the best linebackers still available.
While Bynes isn’t going to move the needle in amazing directions, he’s an upgrade on Nick Vigil and could form a nice crew if the Bengals get a solid rookie in there too.
Grade: B
Mike Thomas
Thomas isn’t a big name unless we’re talking about the New Orleans Michael Thomas.
And yet, Zac Taylor used his Rams connection here to go get an interesting wideout. Thomas could have a hard time making the roster thanks to guys like Stanley Morgan, yet it doesn’t hurt to give special teams some more proven options.
Grade: B
LeShaun Sims
Sims is a depth add who had some problems in coverage last year on some limited snaps.
Granted, he’s only 26 and has good size. He’s another fast, ball-hawking sort of player this new Bengals staff wants. If he flashes enough he might just be able to stick on the roster.
Grade: C
Vonn Bell
Talk about a shocker.
Just when it looked like the Bengals were done, they reportedly won a bidding war with teams like the Browns for Bell.
Bell arrives as an instant starter and either gives the Bengals more three-safety options or perhaps encourages cutting someone like Shawn Williams. Bell is a culture add and dynamite against the run, which should help mask some of the linebacker issues.
Grade: A
