Deep Diving The Bengals’ DE Options
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill (92) celebrates after an incomplete pass on third down in the second quarter of the NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct 29, 2023.
After a down year, Cincinnati has critical decisions they need to make heading into the 2024 season. Some players will depart the franchise, and new ones will come in to address areas of need.
One area of limbo is the defensive line, as DJ Reader is set to hit the free agent market. The Bengals have over $61 million in cap space available this offseason, which gives them wiggle room as to who they could acquire.
The Bengals allowed the 7th most rushing yards in the NFL in 2023, and cutting Reader loose would leave a massive hole in the defensive line that other teams fully exploited after he went down for the season. In addition, while the Bengals’ pass rush was middle-of-the pack with 44 total sacks in 2023, nearly 40% of them were credited to one player (Trey Hendrickson).
Given the Bengals’ good cap situation, they have the ability to sign a marquee free agent defensive linemen. Who are those possibilities?
DJ Reader
It’s entirely possible that the Bengals retain Reader. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has made it very clear how important DJ Reader is to the defensive line.
“We’d love to have DJ Reader back,” Anarumo said to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “He’s such a big influence here.”
Resigning Reader would give continuity to a defensive line that heavily missed Reader’s massive run stuffing presence once he went down with a torn quad in Week 15 against the Vikings. Though injuries like that can be tough to recover from at times, Reader seems to be progressing well.
“It’s moving good,” Reader said in a locker room interview. “Injuries just suck in itself, but rehab hasn’t been as bad this time.”
When Reader was asked about a possible return to Cincinnati, it seems as if the feeling is mutual.
“I hope so,” Reader said. “It’s always good to be wanted, but you know I don’t really control those type of things and I don’t spend my time worrying about them too much, you know. There’s always uncertainty in your mind, but I find peace in knowing that I’ll be exactly where God wants me to be.”
There is always the possibility that the Bengals decide to move on from him. In that case, Duke Tobin and the rest of the front office will likely explore other options and see who else is out there, and luckily they have the financial freedom to do so.
Christian Wilkins
Bengals Fans:
If you could add just 1 free agent this offseason who would it be?
For me it’s Christian Wilkins pic.twitter.com/UGhY169Zk9
— Chaston Scott (@CinCity808) January 20, 2024
The Dolphins are currently in a bad cap situation, and they currently have to worry about paying their franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which means they will have to get rid of some of their pieces. With that, Wilkins is a highly likely candidate to hit the open free agent market.
Wilkins, who has been an ultra-consistent and critical piece of Miami’s defensive line since he was selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, has not missed a start since 2021. He’s also coming off a season where he totaled nine sacks, which was exactly double his previous career high.
According to Spotrac, his market value is just over $20 million a year, which is comparable to defensive linemen like Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence.
Vic Fangio, who was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2023, held Wilkins in extremely high regard.
“He has exceeded my expectations. Due to his talent and work ethic he is one of the best defensive players in the league.” – Vic Fangio on Christian Wilkins. #PayTheMan #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/JUy7f7WqHB
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) August 4, 2023
It is worth noting, however, that Wilkins has been fined three times in his career for unsportsmanlike conduct, including once in 2020 for his role in a brawl against the Bengals.
Chris Jones
If the Bengals are feeling generous, they could snag the biggest free agent in the defensive line class.
Cincinnati if the Bengals sign Chris Jones pic.twitter.com/QxHWik2ba8
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) January 28, 2024
Jones has spent his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs since he was a second round pick in 2016, and he’s had a Hall of Fame career up to this point. He has been a First Team All-Pro in the last two seasons and has made the Pro Bowl in the last five seasons. He has 26 sacks since 2022 and had a solid run defense PFF grade of 78.0 in 2022 (though it did regress to a career worst 59.9 in 2023).
While Cincinnati has a history of being cheap, that mentality has seemed to depart of late. Last offseason, the Bengals signed Orlando Brown to a 4 year, $64 million contract, and they also gave Joe Burrow the largest extension in NFL history.
The caveat is that Jones will be far from cheap. According to Spotrac, Jones has a market value of nearly $28.5 million, which is comparable to some of the best defensive linemen in the league such as Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt. If the Bengals open up their wallets, Jones would add another pass rushing menace to complement Trey Hendrickson and make life easier for a young and developing secondary. If Jones returns to form as a run stuffer and continues his dominance as a pass rush threat, he will be worth every single penny.
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