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Cincinnati Bengals: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97), offensive guard Christian Westerman (63), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97), offensive guard Christian Westerman (63), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 25: Bobby Hart #68 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland won 35-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 25: Bobby Hart #68 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland won 35-20. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Fix the right side of the offensive line

In 2018, often-criticized quarterback Andy Dalton saw his season cut short for the second time in four years. This after he didn’t miss a game or start during his first four campaigns in the league. Regardless of who’s been behind center these last two seasons, Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterbacks have taken their lumps. In their last 32 regular-season contests, the club has surrendered a combined 77 sacks – 37 of those in ’18.

About a year ago, the team addressed the 2017 free-agent loss of left tackle Andrew Whitworth (Los Angeles Rams) by dealing for Buffalo Bills’ veteran blocker Cordy Glenn. Neither he nor right tackle Bobby Hart earned very high grades via Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The latter was a 16-game starter but was PFF’s 69th-ranked tackle in the league.

At right guard, Alex Redmond was the team’s primary starter and also did not earn high grades from Pro Football Focus. But it was the first real extensive playing time for the 24-year-old pro. Like Glenn, Redmond looks to fill the bill from the ’17 free-agent departure of former first-round pick Kevin Zeitler, now with the Cleveland Browns.

All told, there are more questions marks than answers when it comes to this side of the offensive front. It’s safe to say that 2015 second-round pick Jake Fisher (1 start in 2018) was never a solution. And it would be a surprise if he and Andre Smith (who rejoined the team late in ’18) will be back this year.

Next: No. 3

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