Five Offensive Linemen the Bengals Should Target in Free Agency

These guys would help solidify the trenches for Cincinnati.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Mar 12, 2022 1:40 PM EST

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals need to upgrade their offensive line in free agency if they plan to protect Joe Burrow in 2022.

The star quarterback was sacked 70 times in 20 games last season. Here are five linemen they should target in free agency.

Ryan Jensen, Center, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Oct 25, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A general view of the line of scrimmage as Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen (66) snaps the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders 45-20. — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jensen is top free agent center for a reason. He's a great one-on-one blocker and would bring some nastiness to the Bengals' offensive line. He will be 31 in May, but a three-year deal is reasonable.

Cincinnati desperately needs to upgrade the interior of their offensive line and adding Jensen would go a long way toward doing just that in hopes of keeping Burrow upright.

Brandon Scherff, Right Guard, Washington Commanders

Nov 14, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Football Team guard Brandon Scherff (75) prepares to block Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (93) during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports — Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Scherff is a top lineman in this free agent class. He's one of the best guards in the NFL.

He just turned 30 and has dealt with injuries in recent years, but the Bengals should absolutely be interested in his services. He's a perfect fit in Frank Pollack's wide zone scheme and can do everything the Bengals' offensive line coach wants his linemen to do on both run and passing downs.

It's hard to envision the Bengals going all in and paying Scherff big money for a few reasons. They've never prioritized guards and paid them top dollar in the past and he's on the wrong side of 30 with an injury history.

Despite the negatives, the Bengals should absolutely kick the tires on him because he would be a perfect fit in their offense.

Terron Armstead, Left Tackle, New Orleans Saints

Jan 13, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) during the first quarter of a NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports — Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Much like Scherff, Armstead is the best free agent at his position and one of the top left tackles in the NFL.

He's also on the wrong side of 30 and will command top dollar from the Dolphins, Colts or another team in free agency.

With that said, the Bengals should be interested in the player. Armstead would fit well in Pollack's scheme and could help transform a line that has been one of the worst in the NFL for more than half a decade.

Armstead could command around $20 million per season. Scherff will likely command around $15 million per year.

Landing both is the dream, but just signing one of them seems unlikely, especially when looking at the other positions Cincinnati is also hoping to address in free agency.

Austin Corbett, Right Guard, Los Angeles Rams

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams center Austin Corbett (63) blocks for quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports — Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Corbett could be the Bengals' top target in free agency. He's only 26-years-old and appears to be a ascending player, which is what they've prioritized in free agency in recent years.

He gave up three sacks last season and was called for two penalties in 1,081 snaps according to Pro Football Focus.

Corbett will still cost a lot, but he played in all 17 games in 2021 and has appeared in 41-straight regular season games dating back to the 2019 season. If the Bengals are looking for a long-term solution at right guard, Corbett could certainly fit that description.

Trent Brown, Right Tackle, New England Patriots

Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports — Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

There aren't many true right tackles in this free agent class that would be considered an upgrade from Riley Reiff, but Brown could be that and more for a Bengals team that needs more talent in the trenches.

At 6-8, 380 pounds, Brown has the size any team would love to have at tackle. He'll be 29-years-old next month and shouldn't command huge money on the free agent market.

Signing him to a two-year contract would make a lot of sense for a team like the Bengals. It would allow them to keep Jonah Williams at left tackle, while also fortifying the right side of the offensive line. They could also address the position in the draft and continue to develop guys like D'Ante Smith and Isaiah Prince.

Wild Card: Trade for La'el Collins

Dec 12, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle La'el Collins (71) gets into an altercation with Washington Football Team defensive end Will Bradley-King (56) after his hit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at FedExField. — Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Collins would easily be the top right tackle on the market and probably the second best free agent tackle on the market behind Armstead. The Cowboys are interested in trading the 28-year-old, which could be music to the Bengals' ears.

Collins allowed two sacks in 671 offensive snaps and earned an 82.0 overall grade in 2021 according to Pro Football Focus. He played in 12 games after missing the entire 2020 season with a hip injury.

He should still be in his prime and is under contract for the next three seasons. If the Bengals could trade a mid-round pick to the Cowboys for a guy like Collins, then they absolutely should consider it.

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