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NFL Power Rankings: Post-free agency

By John Buhler

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis walks the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis walks the sideline against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bengals

AFC, North

To this point, nobody has had a worse free agency than the Cincinnati Bengals. Their two biggest in-house targets signed elsewhere. Veteran Pro Bowl Andrew Whitworth signed a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. He’ll likely retire as a Ram. Whitworth had been so good for so long in Cincinnati. He covered up a lot of issues up front for the Bengals.

Losing guard Kevin Zeitler in his prime to the division rival Cleveland Browns is absolutely devastating. He not only makes the Bengals offensive interior weak, but he now strengthens Cincinnati’s arch rival up front. Zeitler will tap into his Pro Bowl potential now with the Browns.

Add in that this is the worst offensive line draft in recent memory and the Bengals could plummet much worse than their 6-9-1 record from a year ago. If Andy Dalton gets hurt, this could be the worst team in the AFC North. The gap between the Browns and the Bengals isn’t as vast as people realize.

Fortunately, the Bengals have three things going for them heading into this season. One, this organization drafts well. They will have 11 picks to get better in this spring’s draft. Two, Cincinnati has proven it can develop offensive linemen in-house better than most teams in football. Three, Cincinnati has to be healthier than last year, right?

Overall, don’t expect a bounce back year for the Bengals. Unless they get lucky in a few tight games, this is a team with a 9-7 ceiling. However, this team could crater in a blink of an eye. If it hits the fan, this might be a 4-12 team. Flunking in free agency doesn’t help the Bengals going forward.

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