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Cincinnati Bengals free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

By Rucker Haringey

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Marcus Peters #24 of the Baltimore Ravens causes Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals to fumble the ball during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 11: Marcus Peters #24 of the Baltimore Ravens causes Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals to fumble the ball during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Bengals free agency rumors, Zac Taylor
CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals walks the sidelines in the game against the Cleveland Brownsat Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

The Bengals need to build around Joe Burrow in free agency. Here are five players Cincinnati should target to take a step forward in 2021. 

Protecting Joe Burrow must be the Bengals’ top priority of the offseason. This franchise is going nowhere if it continues to put its franchise quarterback under constant duress. Cincinnati might use some of their draft capital to strengthen their options up front, but acquiring veterans to upgrade the offensive line could be the safer, more prudent course of action.

The Bengals might make some moves on the edges to bolster their defensive talent, but every big move they make should be on the offensive side of the ball. Burrow’s injury last season wasn’t an accident. It was a product of the offensive line’s inability to keep him upright. The group must be overhauled this offseason.

The team could also stand to improve the offensive weaponry available to Burrow. In particular, they could benefit from an upgrade to their options at tight end. The first name on this list could present a low-cost addition that could pay big dividends for the Bengals.

5. Gerald Everett

Adding Everett isn’t going to transform Cincinnati’s passing game, but he can give Burrow a quality safety valve to leverage when he’s under pressure. He’s a big body who’s shown the ability to break tackles at an impressive rate. He lacks the top-end speed to trouble opposing secondaries over the top, but he can keep the Bengals’ offense on schedule with his solid play.

Cincinnati shouldn’t break the bank to land Everett this offseason, but giving him a multi-year deal with an average annual salary of something around $6 million would give the team reasonable value.

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