Day 1 of NFL free agency saw the Cincinnati Bengals actually do something, breaking from their philosophy of sitting back and watching top-tier free agents sign elsewhere.
The Bengals entered free agency needing four defensive starters, and they got half of them on Monday – safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe. Cincinnati has missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons, mostly because its defense has been terrible.
The Bengals are showing they may be serious about winning again after not being major players on the open market since signing three starting offensive linemen in 2022 free agency.
Here are our grades of the players who reportedly agreed to terms with the Bengals on Monday:
Bryan Cook to Cincinnati Bengals NFL free agency grade
Grade: A
Why: Finally, the Bengals addressed the loss of Jessie Bates. It took them three offseasons of whiffing on bargain-basement, washed-up free agents to figure this out, but the Bengals got a bona fide starter who knows how to win and is in his prime. Cook has been a winner everywhere he’s played, having won a Super Bowl in Kansas City and helping the University of Cincinnati reach the College Football Playoff in 2021.
It’s a bonus that Cook is from here, having played at Mount Healthy High School. No doubt that helped in getting the former second-round draft pick to agree to a three-year, $40 million deal. More important than where he’s from, Cook can cover the tight end and tackle – both major issues for Cincinnati’s defense in recent seasons.
Cook brings credibility to a young secondary. He’s known as a good communicator on the field and is the type of leader the secondary has really missed since Bates left for Atlanta as a free agent in 2023. Too bad the Bengals didn’t value Cook four years ago they way they do now. Cincinnati passed on drafting Cook in the second round, instead taking Cam Taylor-Britt. The Chiefs took Cook two picks later.
Edge Boye Mafe to Bengals NFL free agency grade
Grade: B
Why: The Bengals have stunk at sacking the quarterback, and they just let the one guy who could consistently do that walk in free agency. Mafe is a downgrade from Trey Hendrickson, in terms of sack production.
Mafe, 27, is coming off a season in which he only recorded two sacks. But he was considered a top-tier pass rusher for a reason in free agency. He consistently disrupts the quarterback. He’s considered still in his prime, four years younger than Hendrickson. And Mafe has a solid track record, with total 15 sacks in 2023 and 2024. He also has a Super Bowl ring, and the Bengals can’t get enough winners on a young defense that doesn’t know how to win.
Some have pointed out that Mafe may have been overshadowed on an incredible defense in Seattle last season, forcing him to be more of a role player. The Bengals need him to play a much different role. They need him to be a star, especially if they’re unable to get another pass rusher in free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals Day 1 NFL free agency grade
Overall day grade: B+
Why: Bengals fans are overly excited about these pick ups, and who can blame them? Bengals ownership has historically set the expectation bar so low, fans and media typically don’t expect much from Cincinnati in free agency, let alone on Day 1 of the legal tampering period.
Solid day by NFL standards. Fantastic day by Bengals standards.
Big picture, the day was relative to the rest of the AFC North. Everyone else in the division got at least two starters, either by trade or free-agent agreements.
The Bengals still do not have a legitimate starting defensive tackle on their roster. It’s arguably their biggest need. They swung and missed on top-target John Franklin-Myers, the former Denver Broncos star who is signing with Tennessee.
The Bengals say they’re “all in.” They’re off to a good start on showing they are. But just remember: There are no banners for simply being in contention to acquire a top player.
Contact columnist Jason Williams at jwilliams@enquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: See NFL free agency Day 1 grades for Cincinnati Bengals | Williams
Reporting by Jason Williams, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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