The Bengals appear to be done signing veterans for now, but could land a player or two once the draft is complete. Many fans are upset the team hasn’t signed more but the Bengals are banking on new coaches improving the play of the current players. That may turn out to be a good thing. I think the previous coaches were good but there was a definite need to bring in some new blood.

The defensive coaches, led by new coordinator Al Golden will under big-time scrutiny to improve a lackluster defense. The saving grace is the new defense doesn’t have to be the best in the NFL for this team to win. It needs to be average with the ability to make big plays in key moments. If that happens, this is a strong contender in the AFC.

DL Trey Hendrickson remains with the team in the final year of his contract. Both sides want to rework the deal but agreeing to the specific numbers keep the sides apart at this time.

Hendrickson is a stud, but for how much longer? I do not believe the Bengals will sign Hendrickson beyond 2026 and he wants a long-term deal.

Could Hendrickson be a draft day trade? Sure, but only for the right price. Cincinnati believes play out your deal is the best way to go. Could Hendrickson stay away from Cincinnati and not play this year? Sure but that might hurt his long-term chances.

The team is need of inside offensive line help and head coach Zac Taylor said a guard could be signed after the draft. My thoughts on this are simple. There are veteran guards that want to play in Cincinnati but do not want to sign now and see the team spend a high draft pick on a guard. I feel the vets will wait to see where the team goes in the draft then sign if they feel they can start. In the end, that will help the Bengals get the best possible line.

LB Germaine Pratt is still on the team but has requested a trade. He could be an trade piece during the draft but other NFL teams will likely wait out the Bengals and hope they release Pratt after the draft.

DB Geno Stone has one more year on the team and DB Dax Hill is coming off injury. A defensive back is a prime choice in the draft, both to fill in for Hill this year and Stone long term.

As for the draft, there are several versions to be seen for the Bengals but that can be said for MOST teams in the NFL.

Let’s take a look.

Quarterback: Nothing to see here. Move along.

Running back: RB Chase Brown was a pleasant surprise last year. He can be very good long-term as a committee guy. Few people believe he is a bellcow back for multiple years. So the Bengals have hosted RB Quinshon Judkins and RB TreVeyon Henderson. A back will be added in the draft, but certainly could be a position a veteran jumps aboard after the draft. The team has 6 picks, barring a deal to get more, so they have to be sharp with those picks.

Wide receiver: See quarterback. Move along.

Tight end: There are some mock drafts that have the Bengals taking TE Tyler Warren at 17. While that would have fantasy football managers drooling for the Penn State product I just am unable to wrap my hands around that choice that early. A tight end is likely but more like a day three pick.

Offensive line: Guard or center is major option, though many believe OL Matt Lee should be given a chance in his second year at either position. Someone like OL Luke Kendra is a good day two or day three pick to fill a spot inside. He is a Cincinnati native who played for the Bearcats.

Defensive line: DT Walter Nolen of Mississippi is a prospect for the Bengals at 17. He would give the team a pass-rushing presence on the inside. He is good against the run but better applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. If the pick is an edge, DL James Pearce of Tennessee would be a slam dunk pick. There are some who believe if Pearce is the pick a Hendrickson deal would following. If some team is willing to pay a first rounder for Hendrickson I would make a deal. If not I would keep Hendrickson this year to maximize his play. Then let him walk after 2025 and I believe get a round 3 supplemental pick in 2026.

Linebacker: LB Jihaad Campbell is a prime candidate for 17 if he is healthy. If the team passes on him there, a linebacker is a likely pick at some point and likely day two. A day three guy might be LB Jack Kiser, who played for Golden at Notre Dame.

Defensive back: DB Xavier Watts of Notre Dame could be the player to lead Golden and his new defensive scheme. It is a position of need plus Golden coached Watts at Notre Dame. Watts is a second round pick kind of guy. DB Malachi Starks of Georgia is possible at 17 but if Golden pounds the table for Watts and the team believes he can be had at 49, then I do not see Starks going at 17

End.