Bengals Beat: Where Can The Draft Help The Bengals The Most, and What Will Happen With Trey Hendrickson?

CINCINNATI — Edge rusher, linebacker, offensive guard or safety – which way will the Bengals go in the first round and what will that tell us about where things stand with Trey Hendrickson?

The Bengals didn’t lose significant talent. That’s the good part. Right guard Alex Cappa is off to Las Vegas. Sheldon Rankins is back in Houston. Sam Hubbard retired. Vonn Bell was a cap casualty.

The completely unknown is whether they’ve done enough to become better on defense. The early returns would suggest no. That’s why there’s so much focus on this draft and the Bengals grabbing at least three players who can contribute right away, with two of those coming on defense.

They’ve added a run-stopping stud in TJ Slaton in the middle of the defensive line that will no doubt help them in an area they’ve struggled in over the last two years. That is an absolute improvement. They’ve brought back Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample (coming off a ruptured Achilles) on the edge.

They have 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy and 2024 sixth rounder Cedric Johnson. And then there’s No. 91.

The Trey Hendrickson factor is still a huge unknown, as the team and player are working through negotiations. Hendrickson says there’s been next-to no communications with his camp on a new deal while Katie Blackburn says the team values him and has made an offer that should make him happy.

Without being in the room, it’s nearly impossible to decide whom to believe. Hendrickson is likely looking for money in the $30 million per season range over two or three seasons, with guaranteed money north of $40 million.

Assuming they stay at 17, the Bengals will have a chance to draft a player who could make an immediate impact.

Edge (Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M) :

The Bengals did lose Hubbard to retirement, as his production had already been slipping because of nagging injuries the last two seasons. The Bengals need production from at least two to three additional edge rushers, whether that’s Murphy, Ossai, Sample or Johnson, or a draft pick or two to make an immediate impact. There is so much to choose from in the first round the natural inclination is to think the Bengals will get swept up in the rush on defensive ends and grab one at 17.

If the Bengals don’t trade Hendrickson and – best case scenario – bring him back on an extension, the Bengals would seem to be in a good spot in terms of bodies and depth. The issue is whether those numbers will result in increased production. If they do trade Hendrickson, at the very least you would think they’re adding a pick in the first two days this year and another in 2026 and a projected starter who could come in and immediately contribute on the edge.

Defensive tackle (Derrick Harmon, Oregon):

Assuming Mason Graham of Michigan is gone, Derrick Harmon of Oregon could be enticing here. If Graham slips, this becomes a very, very interesting call, even with the signing of TJ Slaton and the return of BJ Hill, Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson.

Safety (Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina):

Reports indicate that safety Nick Emmanwori of South Carolina has already visited with the Bengals. If he’s on the board and available, do the Bengals take him at 17 to bolster a safety group that is still trying to find its way with Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Daijahn Anthony and Tycen Anderson?

The Bengals haven’t added a safety or edge rusher in free agency while adding a pair of linebackers that figure to be special teams contributors or role players.

Linebacker (Jihaad Campbell, Alabama):

Let’s not overlook the need to upgrade the linebacker room. Logan Wilson is returning. Germaine Pratt has demanded a trade. Both struggled at times last year. They have brought in a pair of linebackers who appear to be simply depth pieces in Oren Burks and Joe Giles-Harris. Adding a piece like Jihaad Campbell from Alabama would immediately upgrade the unit. Maema Njongmeta is a special teams player who got some run at linebacker late in the season and made some good contributions but doesn’t figure to step up to a bigger role, at least not to start the season.

Offensive guard (Tyler Booker, Alabama):

Could Booker offer the same immediate impact that Amarius Mims did at right tackle? If he’s there, one has to wonder how high Bengals scouts have him graded and whether they think he could come in and fill the shoes of Alex Cappa at right guard. Kelvin Banks of Texas could be available also.

While free agency doesn’t guarantee fixing every shortfall, relying on players to make significant jumps or draft picks to make immediate impacts is an even bigger gamble.

Free agency is just a piece of the offseason roster-building exercise that every team goes through. And signing your own free agents shouldn’t be discounted as critical parts of the equation, just take a look at the Bengals and their approach to extending star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, tight end Mike Gesicki and defensive tackle BJ Hill.

Of course, the answer to this is that the Bengals have addressed the most critical parts of their offense, giving Joe Burrow the weapons he needs (and wants) in bringing back Tee Higgins and extending Ja’Marr Chase. They’ve re-signed tight end Mike Gesicki and they’ve signed a back-up offensive guard in Lucas Patrick from New Orleans.

MOCK 1.0:

1 (17 overall) – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
2 (49 overall) – JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
3 (81 overall) – Tate Ratledge OG, Georgia
4 (119 overall) – Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
5 (153 overall) – Barryn Sorrell, Edge, Texas
6 (193 overall) – Kobe King, LB, Penn State