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NFL Offseason 2019: Every team’s best under-the-radar move

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 07: Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an incomplete pass against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 07: Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an incomplete pass against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Ryan Finley #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack looks on during the Wolfpack’s football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on November 18, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC – NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Ryan Finley #15 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack looks on during the Wolfpack’s football game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field on November 18, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: Ryan Finley, QB

One of the most questionable moves by any team this offseason was when the Cincinnati Bengals chose Zac Taylor as their new head coach. Succeeding Marvin Lewis won’t be easy as the defensive-minded coach ran that team for 16 seasons. Despite not having playoff success, he had them competitive for the majority of his career.

As for Taylor, it’s an interesting hire. He’s young and has little experience but seems to have benefited from his connection to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay — this offseason it seemed as though knowing him was a prerequisite for getting a head coaching job.

One of the other reasons Taylor got the job is his reputation for working with quarterbacks. The Bengals believe they can still win with Andy Dalton but something just hasn’t clicked. Perhaps Taylor can push him to improve as a passer and team leader. Or maybe, their rookie quarterback can.

Cincinnati made a move in the fourth round that was really smart. They selected North Carolina State quarterback Ryan Finley with the 104th pick overall. He’s not exactly a star in the making but he has the tools that scouts look for in a signal-caller. It could take time for him to develop but it gives them someone who they can try and groom for the future while also putting Dalton on notice that if he doesn’t grow as a player, they could potentially move on.

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