Former Cincinnati Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh knows how he wants the team to build around Joe Burrow this offseason:
Bulk up the trenches.
Appearing on the “Bengals Beat Podcast” with Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Houshmandzadeh outlined his plan:
“The Bengals need to focus on keeping (Joe Burrow) protected. They shouldn’t sign or draft any skill players. It should be offensive linemen in the draft (and) offensive linemen in free agency, because you can find a receiver in the third, fourth or fifth round. If the protection is there, Joe is gonna get you the ball.”
It’s a hard strategy to argue against. While ending up with wideout Ja’Marr Chase or tight end Kyle Pitts at fifth overall would be nice, it would matter little if Burrow has no time to throw and the ground game can’t get going.
And the idea the Bengals can find a nice complement for Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins in a later round is true enough too. They could also find a nice third option to space the field in free agency.
Given that the Bengals had to watch their long-term franchise passer leave the field during his rookie season on a cart and his status remains up in the air while he rehabs, disagreeing with Housh here seems ill-advised.
