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3 Best Offseason Moves From the Cincinnati Bengals

By michael obermuller

Potential bounce-back corner Trae Waynes is now with Cincinnati, and he's one of their best offseason additions.
Potential bounce-back corner Trae Waynes is now with Cincinnati, and he's one of their best offseason additions. / Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
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Cincinnati Bengals fans are just two days away from finding out the answer to their biggest offseason question, who will the Bengals select at number one overall? The likely choice is quarterback Joe Burrow out of LSU, but until it actually happens nothing is guaranteed.

In the meantime, Cincinnati has had a very productive free agency period rebuilding their entire defense, which includes additions like linebacker Josh Bynes and safety Vonn Bell. Here are the Bengals' three best moves this offseason.

3. Franchise-Tagging WR A.J. Green

This was the only option that made sense for A.J. Green.
This was the only option that made sense for A.J. Green. / Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Despite A.J. Green's recent injury issues, franchise-tagging him was the right move for Cincinnati. The trade market is currently abysmal for wide receivers (as evidenced by the DeAndre Hopkins deal), especially when that wideout has not played much in recent seasons. To let Green walk would be foolish, though, as he was once amongst the NFL's best at the position. But signing him to a long-term deal would be a risk as well. Bringing him back on a short-term basis can help Burrow in his rookie season without limiting the Bengals' options in the future.

2. Signing CB's Trae Waynes & Mackensie Alexander

Mackensie Alexander upgrades the slot for the Bengals.
Mackensie Alexander upgrades the slot for the Bengals. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Bengals fans, say hello to the Minnesota Vikings' secondary, minus Xavier Rhodes. Contrary to public opinion, Rhodes was probably the worst of the trio in 2019, making Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander value pickups for the Bengals. Alexander is a slot corner, but Waynes is the real upside pickup here. The former first-round pick should start opposite William Jackson III in a solid Bengals secondary.

1. Signing DT D.J. Reader

D.J. Reader's value will pay immediate dividends for Cincinnati.
D.J. Reader's value will pay immediate dividends for Cincinnati. / Bob Levey/Getty Images

Do not sleep on the Bengals defense in 2020. This defensive line has always been good, with names like Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard leading the way. By signing D.J. Reader, the Bengals have added one of the NFL's best run stuffers into that unit. Coming off his best season with the Houston Texans (86.7 grade from Pro Football Focus), Reader could be a great addition to the team. With a revamped secondary and a loaded defensive line, Cincinnati could be a much-improved defense this season.

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.