Bengals News (5/9): Looking ahead

Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive line depth chart after 2021 NFL Draft
The Bengals made it known that they want to get better on the defensive side of the ball, and in particular, along their defensive line. The Bengals defense was last in the league in sacks a year ago and that’s just not going to fly if this team wants to improve, especially in the stacked AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals linked to Alabama prospect in 2022 mock draft
Make no mistake. The Cincinnati Bengals are comfortable with their current options at tackle. While the signing of Riley Reiff was a mere blip on the national media’s radar, Zac Taylor and company clearly feel the experienced tackle will be a much-needed upgrade on the right-hand side. The concern with Reiff is that he is only on a one-year deal, meaning the Bengals likely have to address the position again next offseason.

Bengals news: Cincinnati invites another QB to rookie minicamp
Dungey was an undrafted free agent in 2019 who spent time on Cleveland’s practice squad. Over four years at Syracuse, he threw 58 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions, rushing for 35 more scores.

Cincinnati Bengals: Offensive line depth chart after 2021 NFL Draft
The Bengals might not have drafted Sewell, but they didn’t flat out ignore the offensive line. They added three offensive linemen in the 2021 NFL Draft and hope those guys can make a splash at some point in the future.

Cincinnati Bengals: 3 potential steals in 2021 NFL Draft
While the biggest names in the draft often go during the first two days, it’s Day 3 that really makes or breaks teams as far as depth is concerned. The Bengals were armed with 10 picks this year and really loaded up on the defensive side of the ball while also adding three offensive linemen.

Film Analyst Believes Cincinnati Bengals Got it Right With Ja'Marr Chase: 'I Really Loved His Tape'
"I really loved watching him. I actually watched him last summer," Cosell told Dan Hoard on the Bengals Booth Podcast. "I really loved his tape. I loved Chase's game. I loved his competitiveness. I loved the way he defeated press coverage, which he'll have to do in the NFL. He'll play a lot of boundary 'X,' which means you line up on the ball and you get pressed when you're on the ball and the corner is closer to you, so you have to be able to win against press.

Around the league

DO NOT trade Julio Jones; top positional battles; saving Sam Darnold
If the Atlanta Falcons are serious about emerging as a worst-to-first team in the NFC South, they must resist the temptation to trade away Julio Jones this summer. Despite dealing with a hellacious salary-cap situation heading into the season, the Falcons must keep their best player on the roster to maximize their chances of bouncing back quickly under new coach Arthur Smith and Co.

Jets rookie QB Zach Wilson: Starting job has 'got to be earned'
"A lot of thinking. Way more thinking than you typically want to do in football, but that's a Day 1 kind of thing," Wilson told reporters Saturday. "I really think it just comes down to the scheme part of it, how much more detailed and complicated, to a point. And I think that's what makes it so special.

Rob Gronkowski donates $1.2 million to renovate Boston playground
"The Patriots taught me the importance of giving back from the very first day I stepped in that organization," said Gronkowski, via Lisa Kashinsky of the Boston Herald. "A huge shout-out to Mr. Kraft and the Patriots for instilling that into me and showing me the importance of what it's like to give back."

Panthers hire Bills personnel director Dan Morgan to be assistant general manager
He spent the past three years as the Bills' director of player personnel, helping assemble one of the best rosters in the league. Before that, he served in multiple roles during an eight-year tenure with the Seahawks, including director of pro personnel. Those experiences made him the favorite to be general manager Scott Fitterer's top lieutenant in Carolina, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Morgan was one of four known candidates to interview for the position earlier this week.

NFC East in 2021 - Cowboys are favored, but can Washington repeat?
It would be foolish to count out anybody in this unpredictable division, especially considering the major offseason moves made by Washington, the New York Giants and Philadelphia. As the odds note, every team is a contender, albeit some more popular with the general public than others.

Ready or not: Bears' next QB dilemma is when to play Justin Fields
The Bears -- almost universally panned for their spotty Day 1 draft record over the past decade -- administered a shot of adrenaline to the fan base when they pulled off a draft-night blockbuster trade with the New York Giants in order to move up nine spots and select Fields 11th overall.