Cincinnati Bengals: New tight end a must in free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals sit in an interesting place going into next season. With Andy Dalton, AJ Green, Mohamed Sanu and Jeremy Hill all returning, there is one spot on the field that desperately needs addressing, the tight end position. Jermaine Gresham is a good option, but after him, the Bengals depth chart gets sad very quickly. If Cincinnati want to actually make it past the first round of the AFC Playoffs next season, adding a dynamic tight end to the mix would help make that dream a reality.

Cincinnati got dominated right out of the 2014 NFL Playoffs by losing to the Indianapolis Colts, 26-10. Aside from Dalton not performing at a high level, the Bengals offense could not get off the ground.

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The Bengals play in a very difficult and cut-throat division, the AFC North. Even after finishing the season with a 10-5-1 record, the Bengals still could not find a way to make it past the first round of action. A big reason, among other factors of course, is the team does not have a break out tight end.

For Cincinnati, Gresham is the best option for the team. Taking a look at Gresham, he is not all the bad. He is a five-year veteran and has a total of 24 touchdowns and 280 receptions for 2,722. Not terrible, but certainly not good by any means.

When it comes to a great football team, that team must have great players at least three of the major stages on offense, quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end. Just look at the Super Bowl Champion, New England Patriots, Tom Brady, Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. Three élite players that played a massive role is their latest Super Bowl victory. Cincinnati, well, there is a lot of ground to make up if the team ever wants to get past the Patriots and make it to their own Super Bowl.

Looking around the league, there are several good options that Cincinnati could and should invest in to help bolster their tight end position. Now it must be said that Gersham himself is a free agent as well. One of two things could happen for the Bengals. Either re-sign Gersham and sign another good tight end or, let Gersham walk and spend serious cash on a top player.

The only viable options for the Bengals are Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas. One could make a case for Owen Daniels or Charles Clay, but neither have that break out potential like Cameron or Thomas.

Cincinnati could and should sign Cameron and re-sign Gersham and boast a very dangerous combination at tight end, something a majority of teams in the NFL cannot show. With Cameron on one side and Gersham on the other, the Bengals could actually be a threat in the AFC.

Cameron does play for the Bengals rival, the Cleveland Browns now, so a move to a team very close to his current organization might be out of the question. As many know though, money talks. Throw enough money at Cameron and he will catch passes from just about anyone.

The move as a whole makes a lot of sense for Cameron. Cleveland is going down hill fast, and who knows what quarterback will be throwing passes next season. Cameron should leave while he has the chance and get his career back on track.

The Bengals face a tough decision when it comes to this offseason. With Free Agency just a month away, Marvin Lewis and his staff need to figure out just how important Gersham is to their team and decide how to bolster their attack going into next season.

My advice, keep Gersham and find a good second option like a Cameron or Daniels to offer not only depth, but also more consistent receivers for Dalton to throw at. Cincinnati is a good team, but lacks just enough small pieces to hinder their overall production on the field. Signing a player like Cameron could very well help change everything in Ohio.

Next: The mystery that is Andy Dalton

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