3 surprise cuts the Bengals could make this offseason

2. RT Bobby Hart

As the Bengals struggled to protect Burrow last year and ultimately yielded 48 sacks (tied for fifth-most in the league), Hart showed some improvement primarily at right tackle (14 games, 13 starts). From how bad he was before that improvement is relative, but he has started 45 games over the last three seasons for Cincinnati.

The Bengals may be able to get Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell with the fifth pick in the draft, and a hopefully healthy former first-round pick Jonah Williams would then be in line to shift to right tackle. But an overhaul of the offensive line should start with a free agency plan, and cutting Hart would free up another $5.8 million in cap space with just $1 million in dead money. B.J. Finney, who didn’t really play after being acquired from Seattle in the Carlos Dunlap trade, is an easy cut to clear $3.3 million.

Hart could be kept around as functional tackle/guard depth without issue, with fingers crossed he wouldn’t have to play a lot. But a backup lineman who will be bumped down the depth chart, unless the Bengals miss every opportunity to do so, is not worthy of a $6.8 million cap number. Hart might willing take a pay cut to stay though, and Mike Brown will almost surely consider asking, so that’s where the root of him as a surprise outright cut are planted.