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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 news, Brandon Scherff
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 27, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

3. Brandon Scherff

The Bengals need to be involved with every talented interior offensive lineman who hits the open market. Scherff is one of the top guards who has a chance to change teams this offseason.

Cincinnati should approach him with a sizable offer. Scherff can help their run game with his combination of above-average strength and quickness on the inside. Perhaps more importantly, Scherff profiles as one of the best pass-blockers in the NFL at his position. He would immediately give Burrow a much cleaner pocket to throw from in 2021.

Predictably, Washington is going to make a big effort to hang on to Scherff. That’s why any team looking to pry him away from Ron Rivera and company will need to come with a sizable contract offer.

The Bengals might have to flirt with a multi-year offer with an average annual value approaching $20 million to get a deal done. That might seem like an unwieldy premium for a guard, but Cincinnati’s need to protect Burrow is that dire. Overpaying for an established star like Scherff would be an understandable decision.

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