Cincinnati Bengals free agency 2021: Top 5 targets
1. Joe Thuney
Thuney is right there with Scherff in a battle to be considered the top guard in this free agent class. He gets an edge on this list because the Patriots are more likely to let him leave rather than give him the lucrative, multi-year contract he’ll be looking for on the open market.
The 28-year-old isn’t a classic road-grader on the inside, but his excellent use of technique and leverage helps him move defensive tackles around on the interior. Thuney’s real value comes with his ability to protect his quarterback. He regularly grades out as one of the best pass-blocking guards in the NFL.
Some teams might shy away from Thuney because of his lack of elite measurables or athleticism, but the Bengals can’t afford to be that choosy. At worst, he’ll give them above-average guard play over the life of his next deal. That’s a sizable upgrade over the misfits Cincinnati trotted out on the inside last season.
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The Bengals should be careful not to give Thuney too many years in free agency, but a three-year contract with an average annual value of anything less than $15 million would be a win for the franchise. Protecting Burrow is that important.