I know what you are thinking, let’s enjoy this season first. The 2021 off-season should be extremely interesting and I think the 2021 UFA class is going to help the Bengals get some wins this year. There are a lot of big names that we have to decide on and players always ball out in their contract years. So let’s take a look at who is a UFA:
AJ Green – he is of course playing on the franchise tag this season and it is not clear if the Bengals are going to work out a long-term deal. Tee Higgins is on the scene now and if he can show promise as a #1 it is a hard sell to carry Green’s new contract for three years. AJ needs to stay healthy and if he does expect 1,200+ yards out of him.
Shawn Williams – it really depends on how they use Williams this season. Now that Vonn Bell is on the scene Williams will be asked to play nickel and LB sometimes to get snaps on that defense. I don’t expect the Bengals to keep him around so this is important for Williams to put plays on tape to drive up his price in 2021. He can start somewhere.
Mackensie Alexander – I think that 2020 is a prove it contract and that Alexander needs to show why he is an upgrade over Dennard. He does that and the Bengals tend to reward CBs. Stay healthy my friend and you will get a nice pay day.
Kevin Huber – Mr. Consistent is going to be a Bengal for life and I would not be surprised if a long-term deal is not worked out around training camp.
William Jackson III -this is a make or break year for him and he better be a shutdown corner like he was advertised as. Paired up with the best roster at CB he has played with should really help him and he can then play a lot of man-coverage which is his strong suit. Like Alexander we tend to reward CBs and I think a lot of people are high on Jackson.
Alex Erickson – it is going to be hard for Alex to get snaps at WR this year with the addition of Higgins and the emergence of Tate. He needs to do big things on special teams but I don’t think the fan favorite will be around next year. Extra incentive to run back some touchdowns.
Randy Bullock – the truth will be in the % that he kicks this year. Kickers are flaky but Bullock has been a steady one for the Bengals. I expect him to continue to be consistent and if so we will have him back. He runs into a bad spree and he could also be cut without penalty.
Joe Mixon – yes I waited a bit on this one to get you riled up. I think the Bengals will work out a long-term deal before the season begins but if not I can see Mixon going crazy on the field to show out for some other teams. He is a serious weapon but the RB market price increased drastically with Christian McCaffrey getting a big contract and RBs seem to never be worth their value (with the aforementioned exception). He is a young and great talent and is going to be really good for the development of Burrow.
Carl Lawson – I am still high on Lawson even though he did not have the best season last year. I don’t think he was 100% from his injury and the rise of Hubbard put Lawson on the back burner. This will be a prove it year and if he performs well I can see the Bengals re-signing him and cutting Dunlap next season instead. Get younger.
The rest of the UFA’s aren’t too noteworthy (Redmond, Tupou, Bynes, etc.) so I will stop with them. Like I said, 2021 directly impacts 2020 so it should be fun to watch these guys.