The new NFL year is approaching quickly. The NFL Scouting Combine has kicked off in Indianapolis, and every team’s front office is all in one place, so news and rumors are exploding.
That is why Connor Orr from Sports Illustrated decided to make a list of bold predictions for each team for their offseason. The one for the Bengals might be a bit milder than some of the other takes out there:
The Bengals will draft a player in the defensive secondary with their first-round pick.The Bengals want the coaching
staff to develop the talent up front, and in the meantime, will aid the pass rush by bolstering the secondary. Either Caleb Downs or Mansoor Delane will wind up in stripes.
This fits what many fans are hoping for, especially with Downs being an OSU alumnus and a great talent.
The reality is there isn’t likely to be a player at No. 10 on the defensive line worth that selection. But either of those defensive backs falling to Cincinnati would be a great value for the team.
As for Trey Hendrickson, he was part of another team’s bold prediction. One that — if you’ve been paying attention — also doesn’t seem too bold:
The Colts will sign Trey Hendrickson.In a move that will help bolster a team that was middle of the road in both run defense and quarterback pressure percentage, relocating Hendrickson just an hour west and bringing him back together with Lou Anarumo is a critical piece of Indianapolis’s sweeping offseason strategy.
Reuniting Anarumo and Hendrickson is just too easy a move not to make. The real bold take here would be the Bengals using the franchise or transition tag to make a trade like this possible.
If Hendrickson had his choice of a team to go to, it would probably be the Colts, as it is still relatively close, and he has a ton of respect for Anarumo.
What do you think of these bold takes?
