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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 11: Preston Brown #52 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Paul Brown Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 51-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Preston Brown #52 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Paul Brown Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Saints won 51-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

1. Find help at linebacker

During his days with the Buffalo Bills, Preston Brown racked up plenty of tackles. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he was an effective defender, especially when it came to stopping the run. Then again, when it came to the NFL’s fourth-worst rushing defense, there was plenty of blame to go around when it came to the Bengals’ linebackers.

The team’s top player at this position in terms of Pro Football Focus’ rankings (subscription required) was three-year pro Nick Vigil (59.5). He finished third on the club with 84 stops and three passes defensed. But that made him the No. 64 player at his position via PFF.

Brown was around for only seven games and totaled 42 tackles and two interceptions while knocking down four passes. Controversial Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the first four games in ’18 and between a hip issue and a late-season concussion, he was also around for only seven contests. Nine-year veteran Vincent Rey played in all 16 games but made only two starts and finished with his lowest tackle total (14) since 2011.

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Be it injuries, suspensions or poor play by the group, the bottom line is that the team’s top two tacklers this past season were safeties Jessie Bates (111) and Shawn Williams (108). While both Brown and Rey can become unrestricted free agents next month, what does the future hold for Burfict? Even with Vigil and other youngsters such as Hardy Nickerson Jr. and Malik Jefferson, this is a spot that could use a bit of help.

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