Bengals Free Agency Notes: Addressing Safety After Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell's Departure
CINCINNATI — The Bengals lost two key pieces on defense on Monday, with Jessie Bates agreeing to a 4-year, $64.02 million contract with the Falcons.
He made the move to the AFC South a few hours after Vonn Bell agreed to a 3-year, $22 million contract with the Panthers.
That puts Dax Hill in prime position to start at safety next season. The Bengals are banking on the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to step up and have a large role as he enters his second season.
The Bengals plan to add a veteran safety in free agency. A move could come as soon as Tuesday and it's certainly something they want to address. They like Hill and believe Tycen Anderson could make an impact in his second season, but they want to add experience on that back end.
The Bengals are projected to get third and fifth round compensatory picks next offseason following the departures of Bell and Bates. Addressing safety and other needs, without giving up their third round compensatory pick.
John Johnson III could be an interesting option to replace Bell and he wouldn't impact compensatory picks because he was released by the Browns.
Juan Thornhill, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Jordan Poyer are other top free agent options that are still available.
Cincinnati is in "win-now" mode, but if they can keep a high-end compensatory pick and add to their roster, they're going to do it.
Right now Michael Thomas, Hill and Anderson are the only safeties on the roster. Expect that to change in the near future.
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