Bengals News (2/23): Hard cuts

Breakout Candidates for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021
Bates finished the 2020 season playing in all 16 games with 109 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended, two tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus listed Bates as the highest graded safety in 2020 at 90.1.

Bengals confirm helmets will remain the same in uniform makeover
The Bengals announced last month they are undergoing a uniform makeover for 2021. A report at the time indicated the team would not change its helmet scheme.

NFL mock draft: Bengals go all-in around Joe Burrow in new 3-rounder
After hitting two spots on the line, Cincinnati then uses a third-round pick on Ole Miss wideout Elijah Moore. That’s certainly one way to get another strong weapon on the field alongside Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. Moore played three seasons and ended up averaging 12.9 yards per catch for his career, racking up 2,400-plus yards and 16 touchdowns.

Bengals three round 2021 mock draft including a trade in round two
As projections currently stand, it looks like there will be an intriguing offensive tackle or two on the board once the Bengals come on the clock in the second round. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer to scoop up another bookend and secure the protection for Joe Burrow.

Bengals: Cuts team could make and cap space each would free up
In most cases, the potential list of cuts just comes down to projection and the overarching cap space outlook. If the team wants to spend big in free agency again while retaining both Carl Lawson and William Jackson, some extra cap space couldn’t hurt.

Bengals roster projection: Ja'Marr Chase headlines additions
CINCINNATI — The template for the Bengals’ offseason has been set. We laid out the cap space and offseason tasks in our choose-your-own-adventure spreadsheet last week. Many of you tried playing general manager and realized this won’t be quite as easy as it sounds when dreaming of free agents in your head.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow Takes Note of Praise for Los Angeles Chargers star Justin Herbert - Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Bengals News, Analysis and More
Unfortunately, Burrow suffered a season-ending left knee injury in Week 11 against Washington. That cleared the way for Herbert to finish off a record-setting first NFL season, which ended with him being named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Mac Jones' meteoric rise is great news for the Bengals
First, Albert Breer of MMBQ has brought insider information from the Senior Bowl to the spotlight. During the event in Mobile, this year’s Heisman Trophy winner, DeVonta Smith, was posed with a choice between Tua Tagovailoa and Jones, both of which he caught passes from at Alabama.

Around the league

NFL teams can start franchise tagging players today
Teams can start placing the franchise or transition tag tenders on players beginning today and can still work out a long-term deal with the players through mid-July. If an extension isn't worked out by then, the player will play the 2021 season under the one-year tender.

Five NFL stars who SHOULD be traded this offseason
The league's trade season has unofficially commenced, with some big-name quarterbacks relocating. And there's a buzz that this could only be the beginning. A feeling that this particular offseason -- with the salary cap set to drop due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on 2020 revenue -- could be rife with player movement. We can feel that energy building in the walk-up to the 2021 NFL Draft, with widespread speculation that huge A-listers could be on the move.

2021 NFL free agency: Which team needs to be most active this offseason?
There's no doubt all 32 franchises feel the pressure of a projected decrease in the 2021 salary cap, but it won't stop them from making bold moves this offseason, especially with big-name players like J.J. Watt, Allen Robinson and Patrick Peterson on the market. After scanning the entire league -- from teams that are in full rebuild mode to those attempting to find the missing piece for a potential Super Bowl run -- one question emerged:

Eagles to release WR Alshon Jeffery when league year begins
The move had been easy to see coming for some time, and Philadelphia's offseason of change only further signaled what will become a reality next month. The Eagles are getting younger at multiple positions (including head coach), and it's best for the two to go their separate ways.