Here's How Cincinnati Bengals Can Still Win Free Agency After Underwhelming Start

CINCINNATI — The Bengals' approach to free agency has been underwhelming at best. They simply haven't added enough talent to their roster.

While things look bleak, it's worth pointing out that there is still plenty of quality talent available.

Here's the path to the Bengals turning around what has been the worst free agency period of the Joe Burrow Era:

Sign Two Starting Guards

The Bengals need two starting guards. The good news is, there are plenty of quality guards available.

They're interested in Teven Jenkins and hoping to get a deal done with him.

They can't stop there.

They should go after Brandon Scherff, Dalton Risner, Mekhi Becton, Shaq Mason, Will Hernandez Jedrick Wills or any of the other possible available guards that are clear upgrades on paper.

An offensive line of Orlando Brown Jr., Jenkins, Ted Karras, Scherff and Amarius Mims would be [by far] the best offensive line of Joe Burrow's career.

Get it done.

Pass Rush

The Bengals will add to their defensive front next month in the draft, but that shouldn't stop them from adding to a unit that still needs more guys that can get after the passer.

The Bengals should absolutely be interested in Calais Campbell. Even at 38 years old, he's one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFL. He is a good run defender and would be an ideal rotational piece for Al Golden's defense.

The Bengals should also be in on Za'Darius Smith. Smith will be 33 in September, but he has 24.5 sacks over the past three years, including nine last season.

If they don't like Smith because of his age, then they should sign Azeez Ojulari.

Ojulari is someone they were interested in before re-signing Joseph Ossai. There's no reason why they shouldn't be interested in him now. Dante Fowler Jr. is another edge rusher that could give them some extra juice.

Adding Campbell on the interior and Ojulari/Smith/Fowler makes too much sense for this team.

Other Options

Other intriguing options include Asante Samuel Jr., Julian Blackmon, Juan Thornhill, Justin Simmons, C.J. Mosley, DeMarcus Walker and Charles Omenihu are also intriguing options on defense.

What They Should Do

If the Bengals sign two starting guards and a pass rusher like Campbell, it would completely transform this free agency period.

Instead of it being the worst free agent period of Burrow's NFL career, it might be the one that puts him in the best position to win.

Sign Jenkins, Scherff, and Campbell.

Of course, that may seem like a long shot, but it shouldn't. A team that's in win-now mode should be trying to win. Adding two starting guards and another pass rusher isn't too much to ask.

Check out our free agent sheet with rankings for the majority of this class of veterans here.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and be sure to check us out on your favorite audio platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon.

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!