Bengals News (5/30): Biggest challenges

Hobson's Choice: Joe Burrow, the Bengals defense and buzz around Cincinnati
The seven players involved in the introductory video (the two Joes, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins on offense and Jessie Bates III, Sam Hubbard, D.J. Reader on defense) basically form head coach Zac Taylor's new leadership council and represent how the locker room's evolution from the Green-Dalton-Dunlap-Atkins era is complete.

Bengals Booth Podcast: An interview with tight end Thaddeus Moss and discussion on organized team activities
It's the "Pleased To Meet You" edition of the Bengals Booth Podcast as Dan Hoard chats with tight end Thaddeus Moss. Then Dave Lapham joins the podcast to discuss the start of organized team activities and answer the fans #AskLap questions.

Report: Bengals work out UDFA QB Peyton Ramsey
Before that, the 6’2″, 215-pound passer never hit the 20-touchdown mark in a season and averaged just 6.7 yards per attempt over four seasons across two different schools. Still, the combination of arm talent and mobility to work in or out of pockets makes him a pretty interesting depth addition of the team brings him aboard.

Tee Higgins ‘looks like a completely different player’ for Bengals
Higgins matched all the hype last year. It was clear the Bengals had a first-round grade on him when they grabbed him at the top of Round 2 and he lived up to the expectations, serving as the No. 1 wideout, making A.J. Green forgettable and nearly breaking a franchise record held by Cris Collinsworth.

2 mistakes by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft
The Cincinnati Bengals made some splash picks during the 2021 NFL Draft. In fact, they walked away setting themselves up for future success. Many believed the pick for Ja’Marr Chase was the wrong choice as the team could have selected Penei Sewell to protect Joe Burrow. However, the Bengals played the board and found a solid offensive lineman prospect in the second round.

Bengals considered cornerbacks before drafting Joseph Ossai
Now Ossai is the new No. 58 for the Bengals and let the vibes from the team tell it, he’ll line up all over the place in different formations right away, whether it’s as a 3-4 hybrid end or otherwise. He’ll be a big part of the rotation with guys like Sam Hubbard and new arrival Trey Hendrickson.

Cincinnati Bengals: 4 toughest running backs on 2021 schedule
The Cincinnati Bengals will face their fair share of difficult running backs this year and this is problematic considering just how bad their run defense was a season ago. The Bengals defense surrendered the fourth-most rushing yards and while they’ve made it a point to improve their defense, it’s still going to be tough slowing these guys down.

What scouting reports said about Bengals draft pick D’Ante Smith
D’Ante Smith in the fourth round was the second attempt by the Cincinnati Bengals to address the offensive line in the 2021 NFL draft. Unlike second-rounder Jackson Carman, Smith doesn’t have a clear-cut way to earn a starting job as a rookie.

Around the league

Julio Jones trade market: Five teams that should be all in
Whatever you want to make of the impromptu interview Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones gave Shannon Sharpe on Monday, know this much: A line has apparently been drawn. Jones made it clear -- after Sharpe called him during the live airing of the FS1 show Undisputed -- that he has no desire to continue playing for the franchise that has employed him for the past 10 seasons. Jones' exact words when Sharpe asked about Jones' future: "I'm outta there." We didn't see Sharpe let Jones know their conversation was happening on national television until he was about to hang up, but if Jones didn't realize he was on-air, the two of them can discuss that at a later date.

San Francisco 49ers have created win-win situation at quarterback; five make-or-break players in 2021
It's rare for a team to create a win-win scenario when adding a young franchise-quarterback candidate to a roster that already features an established QB1, but the San Francisco 49ers might have constructed an environment that will help them win today and tomorrow, while also putting their veteran signal-caller in position to cash another big check in the near future.

Jay Cutler ‘wouldn’t play’ Justin Fields to begin Bears season
"I wouldn't play the kid to start," Jay Cutler said this week on Waddle & Silvy on WMVP-AM 100, via the Chicago Tribune. "That's where I'd start. I'd let him watch. I think it's just a tough spot to just throw someone out there, especially in Chicago. And I think Andy is more than serviceable. I think they can win games with Andy and kind of pull the ship along until [Fields] is ready."