Well that sucked

I wont spend too much time rehashing the season we all know how bad it was. You had Burrow have a career year, a triple crown winner on a rookie contract, and a player lead the league in the sacks and still missed the playoffs. Complete failure. Here is the big info moving forward

Coaching Staff

• Bengals defense is getting a complete overhaul with DC Lou Anarumo and the DL and LB coaches being fired. I dont think he is a bad coach but this was one of the 5 most expensive defenses in the league along with heavy focus from the draft. The on field result was a bottom 5 defense. Player development on this side of the ball is also terrible. 
• OL coach Franck Pollack is also gone. Similiar to defense the on field result continues to be terrible despite big money and draft picks being given to Pollack.
• Good news is these positions should be highly attractive to other coaches. Knowing that you have Burrow means team success should be there and their groups can only go up

Unrestricted Free Agents

• Tee Higgins-This will obviously be the the main focus of discussion. He is amazing and adds a lot to the offense as the #2 receiver. Burrow and Chase have publicly came out in support of bringing him back. I think there is somewhat of a chance he returns, the reality is they simply have no talent on the roster that they really need to resign. You are either going to sign Higgins or go get random free agents(which has worked out terribly.) However there are a lot of teams that desperately needs receivers and he will get WR1 money. 
• Guys I want back- TE Mike Gesecki looked pretty good, LB Akeem Davis Gaither a solid backup LB if they can bring him back cheap
• Guys I dont want to bring back-DT BJ Hill(big contract for nothing), CB Mike Hilton(he was amazing feel bad putting him in this category but you dont want to sign a 31 year old corner) OT Trent Brown(lol) DE Joseph Ossai(surprised it didnt work out at all)

Cap Situation + Potential Cuts

• Bengals go into the offseason with $60 Million in cap and should be in a good position. Chase has to be resigned this offseason and that price went up but they have money to work with.
• Offensive Cuts- OG Alex Cappa($7M) was good at the start of his time here but was just terrible this year, Zach Moss($3M) Chase Brown showed he is RB1
• Defensive Cuts-DT Sheldon Rankins($7.5M) terrible signing, S Geno Stone($6M) not worth the money for a bad safety 
• Bubble- DE Sam Hubbard($9M) he was hurt but he was bad this year but I know he is a team leader and another edge could be expensive. I really wish we had confidence in Myles Murphy here. LB Germaine Pratt($5M) he was bad and is older but are you positive you find better for $5M?
• Without the bubble guys you add $23M to get up to $83M with the potential to get close to $100M with Hubbard/Pratt.

 Team Needs(assuming no Higgins and keeping Hubbard/Pratt)

• Offensive Line-We should be happy with both OTs and C but we have to get two new guards. They were atrocious this year
• Receiver-Higgins is gone and safe to assume Burton is worthless. At the very least will need a WR2 and maybe a slot as well.
• DL-Going to need to bolster both the DT spots and find a pass rusher. They were prepared for this and draft Myles Murphy/Kris Jenkins/McKinnley Jackson but how much confidence do we really have in those guys?
• Secondary-Man, this group is bad. CTB regressed horribly, Dax Hill is hurt, the safeties suck, and Hilton is gone as your nickel corner. Need to fully retool this group. If I had to guess though they may rely on the guys in the room and spend their money elsewhere. 

Draft Simulation(Using PFN, just played the board how it fell)

• Bengals landed the #17 pick and I expect the focus to be defense. Really the board is open on defense, they can upgrade at DE, DT, LB, CB, and S. If Higgins is gone I think WR could also be a position they target.
• 1st- WR Emeka Egbuka OSU-I think this is something that could likely end up happening if Tee leaves. Egbuka should go in this range and should thrive as WR2. I would love this
• 2nd- EDGE JTT OSU-I didnt want to go OSU again but I think this is another one with a real possibility. JTT doesn't have big pass rushing upside but could be an average pass rusher and good run supporter with position versatility. Pretty high floor pick here.
• 3rd- CB Daylen Everette-Not very consistent on the field but elite athlete who could turn into a good corner. He probably goes way higher than this.
• 4th- RB Kaytron Allen-With Moss gone the Bengals will be looking for an RB2. At 230 pounds Allen could be a very good compliment.