With free agency well underway and many big names signed, the Cincinnati Bengals have made some big moves, most notably OT Orlando Brown Jr., safety Nick Scott and TE Irv Smith Jr.
Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated has given the Bengals a free agency grade of an A minus. They are one of only three teams he gave this high of a grade.
Here’s what Manzano said about the Bengals grade:
The surprise signing of Brown was enough to make the Bengals winners in free agency. Brown’s presence will allow Joe Burrow time to push the ball downfield to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati lost both its starting safeties in Bates and Bell, but added a savvy veteran in Scott.
There is still a lot of offseason to go, but the Bengals have done about as well as they could have so far. Like Manzano said, signing Brown was very big for them, so the offseason will be thought of as a success regardless, but there are still areas they could improve.
The next step will be attacking more needs in the draft that is creeping up quickly, now less than a month away.
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