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Cincinnati Bengals: 3 Bargain targets available in 2019 NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Zac Taylor speaks to the media as director of player personnel Duke Tobin (left) and owner Mike Brown (right) look on after being introduced as the new head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Zac Taylor speaks to the media as director of player personnel Duke Tobin (left) and owner Mike Brown (right) look on after being introduced as the new head coach for the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on February 5, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Timmy Jernigan #93 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates the play against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Timmy Jernigan #93 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates the play against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

2. DT Timmy Jernigan (Philadelphia Eagles)

It won’t be a surprise when the Cincinnati Bengals use the 11th overall pick in April’s draft in this month’s draft to land some help on the defensive line.

The new defensive coordinator in the Queen City is Lou Anarumo, the defensive backs coach for the New York Giants in 2018. He served the same role with the Miami Dolphins from 2012-17. He inherits a unit that allowed the most total yards and most passing yards in the league this past season. And just in case some thought there was a bright spot when he came to this defense, only three teams in the league allowed more rushing yards per game this past year.

In previous years, the Bengals have certainly welcomed back players who left the organization to join other teams. So could 34-year old defensive tackle Domata Peko return to the Queen City? He comes off a solid year with the Denver Broncos and could help the club in terms of run defense.

But what about adding a younger but proven performer in Timmy Jernigan, who the organization is certainly familiar with due to his earlier days with the Baltimore Ravens. He was limited to just three games this past season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was a 15-game starter for the Super Bowl champion Birds in 2017. And teaming with veteran Geno Atkins in the middle would be a good move for all parties involved.

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