The Cincinnati Bengals need to address the offensive and defensive line in 2021.
Throughout the 2020 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals have had a weakness in both the offensive and defensive lines and it has been on full display. The weakness in the offensive line was never more apparent when rookie quarterback Joe Burrow was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
As for the defense, performances against the Cleveland Browns running game, or anyone in their division for that matter, proves that if the offense can’t score, forget about the defense. Leave the Giants game out of the equation as Brandon Wilson’s kickoff return proved to be the only highlight-worthy moment.
This offseason will be a test and, if the Bengals were to not pass, the time of misery will only continue. To avoid such a fate, the lines of scrimmage must be fixed. There is no substitute. The sizzle is for the highlights, but the substance is what allows the sizzle to be incorporated.
Either the Cincinnati Bengals fix up their lines or repent down the road.
The disappointing record put forth by the Cincinnati Bengals this season enables them to enjoy a high draft pick that will need to be used towards an offensive tackle such as Oregon’s Penei Sewell. The second round must also feature an offensive lineman given how the lack of protection wrecked their quarterback’s season. From then on out, the defense must have an insertion of fresh blood.
The Bengals have wide receivers and running backs, so there is no need. Free Agency must be used towards linebackers and secondary players unless of course there is a prime player that Cincinnati can target on Draft Day. Besides those possibilities, protection and pressure are the points of emphasis.
The Cincinnati Bengals have the talent and have always had talent even in their lowest years. What they did not have was the men up front on a consistent basis for success. They can fix that trend in the draft this season if at all they want to be a competitive force within an already difficult division.