CBS Sports thinks the Cincinnati Bengals made one of the "smartest moves" during the first big wave of NFL free agency.
The national sports media outlet ranked the top five smartest moves so far during free agency and the Bengals' deal with safety Geno Stone came in at No. 3 on their list.
Cincinnati signed Stone to a two year deal worth $15 million last month.
From CBS Sports: In a deep safety market, paying Stone $7 million a year appears to be one of the best deals in free agency. Stone had a career year with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, having seven interceptions as the beneficiary of playing next to Kyle Hamilton.
Stone had an excellent season, as opposing quarterbacks completed 60.5% of their passes with a 40.9 passer rating targeting Stone (only having two touchdowns). He had nine passes defensed while playing both free and strong safety.
Based on the structure of the contract, the Bengals are taking a one-year gamble on Stone (they only have a $1.5 million dead cap hit in year two of the deal if they decide to cut him). A big year from Stone will significantly increase his value, as his best football is still to come at just 24 years old.
Stone was a seventh round selection by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The former Iowa standout was signed off the Ravens' practice squad by the Houston Texans near the end of his rookie season. Stone, however, returned to Baltimore on a one-year deal in 2021. He played in 15 games in 2021, before playing in all 17 games in 2022 and 2023 for the Ravens.
Stone had his best season in Baltimore in 2023, totaling 68 tackles and seven interceptions (the most in the NFL in 2023 by a safety).
Cincinnati's new safety is still fairly young -- Stone will turn 25 later this month -- even though he already has four seasons of NFL experience.
Stone is a player that was a bit overlooked during the draft process, but he's quickly proven to be a quality NFL safety. And he still has room to improve. This move could end up being the best signing of the NFL offseason considering the low cost of Stone's contract.
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