Division rival's CB headlines potential Bengals free-agent targets
Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.
Positional needs for Cincinnati Bengals: CB, LB, TE
The Bengals are living the dream with Joe Burrow at quarterback, and Cincinnati must do whatever it takes to keep him healthy and happy. That soon will mean paying Burrow, who's still on his rookie deal, a massive contract. The team reportedly is "gearing up" to extend him this offseason, meaning it may have to make hard decisions regarding the cap.
Marcus Peters, CB, Baltimore Ravens
The Bengals have dealt with injuries in the secondary. so adding a veteran cornerback to a short-term deal would be smart. If Baltimore doesn't re-sign Peters, staying in the division might motivate him.
Peters returned from a torn ACL in 2022 and had somewhat slow start. But he posted a sack, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 2022.
Pro Football Focus ranks Peters as the No. 49 free agent in 2023, calling him "one of the league’s premier interception hawks." He's projected to receive a two-year, $19.77 million contract, per Spotrac.
Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys
The Bengals may decide to keep impending free-agent LB Germaine Pratt. If not, Vander Esch could fill in nicely as Pratt's replacement. Vander Esch had 90 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble on his one-year flier with the Cowboys in 2022.
The 26-year-old finds himself in a crowded free-agent linebacker group once again. He is PFF's 40th-ranked free agent in 2023.
Vander Esch should receive a multi-year deal after being an important contributor to Dallas' ferocious defense in 2022.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins
This would be a case of the rich getting richer, but why not? Gesicki is coming off a disappointing season in which he had 32 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns under the franchise tag.
Cincinnati must decide if it wants to keep impending free-agent TE Hayden Hurst. If not, PFF's No. 34 free agent of 2023 would be a great addition for an already talented receiving corps.
The 27-year-old isn't facing a tag again, and PFF said he should go to a team that can use his "big slot receiver playing style."
Gesicki's market value is a four-year, $32.85 million contract, according to Spotrac.
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