One surprise cut candidate from each NFL team in 2021
By Randy Gurzi
Cincinnati Bengals: Geno Atkins, Defensive Tackle
Heading into 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals are trending toward a youth movement. That could end up being bad for someone such as Geno Atkins who is coming off a rough campaign for them.
According to Brad Spielberger from PFF, he had the lowest grade of his career. Spielberger even named Atkins as one player he could see leaving the Bengals, especially after signing D.J. Reader in the offseason.
"“Atkins played just 127 snaps in 2020 and graded out at 54.0, both marks by far the lowest of his career. The career Bengal had played at least 775 snaps and graded at 76.2 or better in five straight seasons before his first-ever bad year, but it’s fair to wonder if age is perhaps catching up to the soon-to-be 33-year-old. Cincinnati made a big investment in DI D.J. Reader during the 2020 offseason, but injuries knocked him out for much of the season, as well. He’s set to return in 2021, and the Bengals may look to continue their youth movement as they transition from the Andy Dalton–A.J. Green–Geno Atkins–Carlos Dunlap era.” —Brad Spielberger, PFF.com"
It would be a huge change for the Bengals who have seen their biggest names leave in recent years. Atkins is the final one remaining and that might not be for much longer.