Bengals suggested top free-agent target for 2025

The Bengals should attack this need in free agency next offseason.

At this point, one could describe every level of the Cincinnati Bengals defense as its weakest point.

The defensive line doesn’t get much in the way of pass-rush, the linebackers aren’t playing well behind a poor line, and the defensive backs room as a whole is a complete mess.

When attempting to single out the team’s biggest weakness and find a way to fix it in 2025 NFL free agency, though, Bleacher Report circled the cornerback spot and suggested targeting Byron Murphy Jr. next offseason:

One of the biggest reasons the Bengals have underperformed this season is a secondary that is just not holding up its end of the bargain. The Bengals are one of the worst third-down defenses in the league and will need to make changes next season.

Murphy, a second-round pick in 2019, has been with Minnesota over the last two seasons and has a strong 70.5 PFF grade this year. He’s just one of many strong veteran examples of guys possibly headed to the market next offseason that should interest the Bengals.
Cam Taylor-Britt’s major dropoff is a huge issue to tackle this offseason now, and both Dax Hill and DJ Turner will attempt to work their way back from season-ending injuries.

Someone like Murphy, then, will be an obvious target to get some experience in the door, even if he doesn’t start.

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