Post-FA Mock

[*ochocincos*]

With the remaining OGs on the market, I'm not convinced anyone who signs is going to be more than a 1-year stopgap, so for all intents and purposes, I consider FA to be basically done.

With that said, here is a mock I think helps fulfill their needs for both short and long term while also being something I think could be realistic they would do.

1) James Pearce Jr, DE Tennessee - Hendrickson, Ossai, and Sample are all on final year of their deals. If Ossai does well, I can see Bengals basically choosing to keep one of him or Hendrickson, but not both with the amount of money they've tossed to Higgins, Chase, Hill, and even Slaton. Bengals will likely need a future starter to cover one of the DE spots in 2026 or 2027, and you can never have too many pass rushers. If JPJ's off-field concerns check out, I think he would be a great add.

2) Xavier Watts, FS Notre Dame - 2023 DPOY and led the nation that year in INTs. Ball hawk center fielder type of safety. If the Bengals want to find a long-term guy to put next to Battle, Watts could be that dude. With Golden as the DC, this makes a lot of sense.

3) Wyatt Milum, OL West Virgina - Fantastic college OT who has all the traits you want for a quality NFL OL. The only concern is his lack of arm length, which likely will force him inside to Guard. Milum is a good pass protector, run defender, and has that coveted "nasty streak." IMO, Bengals would get a guy who could start immediately at one of the OG spots with Milum. The other nice bonus? Milum can fill in at OT if needed too. He is often compared to Colts RT Braden Smith.

4) Omar Norman-Lott, DT Tennessee - Undersized but effective DT who can help boost the pass rush. ONL can help fill the role that Carter was supposed to be.

5) Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame - Size and versatility at the TE position to become a quality TE2 and replace Sample next year.

6) Raheim Sanders, RB South Carolina - RB with solid size who is considered a thumper. From what I see and scouting reports mention, Sanders will get the tough yards. Dude has good speed along with that size, and he has 4 years of good SEC production - 3111 rushing yards (5.4 YPC) and 28 rushing TDs with 771 receiving yards (10.1 YPR) with 5 receiving TDs. As a RB3/4, I think he can be a solid rotational guy behind Brown and Perine.

EDIT - I also considered Tyler Booker in Rd 1 and Kyle Kennard in Rd 3, but I figured the above results in a bit better overall team performance if Hendrickson and/or Ossai departs next year. Plus, really good edge rushers typically cost (way) more than good IOL in FA. With the Bengals potentially needing to tighten purse strings even more with Ossai and Higgins locked up for 3-4 years, they may have to focus on the cheaper positions to address in FA.