The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for a comeback in the 2024 season. Last year, their playoff aspirations were shattered when star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury late in the regular season. Despite this setback, the Bengals managed to finish with a 9-8 record, thanks to the efforts of backup quarterback Jake Browning.
With Burrow expected to be ready for Week 1, the Bengals are motivated to make a strong statement in the upcoming season. To address the challenges they faced in 2023, the team made several strategic moves during free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.
A significant focus was placed on the offense, particularly on keeping Joe Burrow healthy and providing him with ample support. In free agency, the Bengals re-signed guard Cody Ford and acquired tackle Trent Brown to strengthen the offensive line. They also added and retained several tight ends, including Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, and Drew Sample, and brought in running back Zack Moss to replace Joe Mixon. Additionally, they signed defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to a lucrative two-year deal to replace the departing D.J. Reader.
The Bengals reinforced these efforts in the draft, selecting tackle prospect Amarius Mims with their first-round pick. Although Mims is expected to start on the bench, he is projected to be a long-term asset in protecting Burrow. The team also drafted wide receiver Jermaine Burton and added depth on both sides of the ball.
Despite these moves, the Bengals’ roster is still a work in progress. Their defense, though solid and filled with young talent, could benefit from added veteran depth in the front seven. One potential target for the Bengals is edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, who is currently a free agent.
Ngakoue has shown considerable potential throughout his NFL career. Drafted in the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, he recorded eight sacks in his rookie season and followed up with 12 sacks in his second year. Since leaving Jacksonville after his rookie contract, Ngakoue has played for several teams, including Minnesota, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Chicago, consistently proving himself as a reliable pass rusher.
Adding Ngakoue to the Bengals’ roster would provide a high-end backup defensive tackle option. While Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson have been performing well, having Ngakoue as part of a three-man rotation would keep all players fresh and maintain a high level of play at the defensive end position. This would be particularly useful given that Hendrickson had expressed a desire to be traded earlier in the offseason, though he has since committed to staying with the team.
The current depth behind Hubbard and Hendrickson includes Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, and Cam Sample. Murphy, a former first-round pick, had a lackluster rookie season, Ossai is a competent backup but not more, and Sample remains an uncertain prospect. Bringing in Ngakoue would bolster the pass rush, ensuring that Cincinnati remains formidable on every down.
Moreover, a strong pass rush is crucial for the Bengals as their secondary, while talented, is still developing. Players like DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, and Josh Newton show individual promise, but they have yet to gel as a cohesive unit. An effective pass rush would reduce the time opposing quarterbacks have to make plays, thereby masking any weaknesses in the secondary.
Financially, the Bengals have ample cap space to accommodate Ngakoue’s contract, making this a feasible move. By signing Ngakoue, Cincinnati would solidify their defense and enhance their chances of making a significant impact in the AFC this season. Therefore, it would be prudent for the Bengals to consider adding Ngakoue to their roster before training camp begins.
