5 targets for Bengals in 2022 NFL free agency
By John Buhler
S. Cincinnati Bengals. Jessie Bates. 2. 56. Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report
If the Bengals prioritize bringing any player back in 2022, it must be Jessie Bates
Along with Ogunjobi, the Bengals have a handful of players it should look at bringing back in free agency. While one could argue players like cornerback Eli Apple and tight end C.J. Uzomah might be in the mix for new deals, the top player the Bengals need to retain above all else is safety Jessie Bates. He has been sensational since being a second-round pick out of Wake Forest by Cincinnati.
Though the Bengals could conceivably use the franchise tag on him, that is probably not going to go over well with one of the tone-setters on this defense. Bates has been a good soldier for four years and has earned a multi-year extension with the franchise. Retaining Bates will help keep the back-end of the Bengals defense in check while they look to add key pieces to their front-seven.
Ultimately, there is no excuse for the Bengals to let Bates walk. He is an excellent home-grown product in the peak of his powers. Franchise tag or not, the Bengals defense gets worse if he is not part of it. While other teams could have interest in prying him out of the Queen City, again, the Bengals have more salary cap space to afford to pay Bates what he is worth on the open market.
Improving the offensive line and reloading defensively keeps the Bengals championship-viable.