Bengals News (6/21): D.J. Reader’s big impact

Best Bengals.com Stories During Free Agency 2021
The Bengals enjoyed a busy spring during the free agency period brining in several high profile players. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi and cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton headlined some the new players brought in free agency.

Bengals: Where is Joe Burrow in PFF’s 2021 analytical QB rankings?
Over at Pro Football Focus, Kevin Cole and Co. released their 2021 analytical quarterback rankings, which is a simpler way of saying they used Bayesian Updating to marry PFF grading with EPA-per-play and other tools to formulate rankings.

Bengals’ Tyler Boyd again embracing underdog role going into 2021
“I love being the underdog so they don’t expect what’s going to happen. Not gettin the respect I deserve does nothin but drill my will to work harder and do things I’m not doin better.”

Cincinnati Bengals listed as the best fit for Jurrell Casey
Surprisingly, Jurrell Casey is still waiting to sign with an NFL team for the 2021 season. The defensive lineman is entering his 11th year in the NFL and would be an excellent addition to the Cincinnati Bengals‘ defensive line.

Notable players on roster bubble at each position group as Bengals approach training camp
Given the team’s rebuilding status, every job — not just roster spot — should theoretically be up for grabs. Here’s a look at the most competitive spots on each part of the depth chart where the most competitive battles should take place.

Joe Burrow vs Justin Herbert: NFL Analysts Debate Who They'd Prefer at QB
The Good Morning Football crew was asked which quarterback they would start their franchise with moving forward. It led to an interesting debate between Peter Schrager, Nate Burleson and Kyle Brandt.

What does D.J. Reader bring to the Bengals' defense?
Now, Bell and Waynes will lead a revamped secondary, while Reader bears the brunt of turning around the front seven. With the departures of Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, and Carl Lawson within the last year, the defensive line is in desperate need of replenishing. Reader has to be the cog in that effort.

Bengals: Bleacher Report says the team should trade for Brandon Brooks
The Cincinnati Bengals‘ offensive line might look better than it was a season ago but the team could certainly still use some help. Yes, they added Riley Reiff in free agency and drafted three different offensive linemen but considering what the poor play by the o-line led to last year, it makes sense that the Bengals continue to be linked to offensive linemen in one way or another.

Around the league

A.J. Green: Pairing with DeAndre Hopkins in Arizona is 'going to be unbelievable'
"I never played with a guy like D-Hop. The guy is unbelievable, man," Green said, via Cards Wire. "He embraced me. We don't have egos. He's telling me, like, 'If you want to run a route and I'm at that position just let me know.' So, you have a guy like that, two guys like that in a room it's going to be unbelievable. And we feed off each other."

State of the 2021 San Francisco 49ers: Super Bowl or bust in Kyle Shanahan's fifth season
Where does your franchise stand heading into 2021? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the key figures to watch and setting the stakes for the season to come.

Sean McVay: Rams are 'not gonna run away from the expectations'
The Rams have Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey leading one of the best Ds in the NFL; a receiver corps of the perennially underrated Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, speedster DeSean Jackson and second-year player Van Jefferson; running backs Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson; and an offensive line anchored by the ageless Andrew Whitworth. With Stafford, the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run.

Saints' Alvin Kamara appointed as NASCAR's first Growth and Engagement Advisor
The announcement comes a little over a year after Kamara attended his first race in support of Bubba Wallace Jr., the only African-American driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kamara expressed interest in racing following NASCAR's banning of Confederate flags from all future events following efforts spearheaded by Wallace.