The Cincinnati Bengals need a boost on defense, so it might make sense to pick up familiar faces.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen chose the best fits for the top 50 free agents, and he thinks the Bengals would be wise to add two defensive players from the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Here is why he thinks safety Bryan Cook should land in Cincinnati:
With Geno Stone heading to free agency, the Bengals could look to Cook, a versatile safety for the Chiefs in 2025 who can play from depth or spin down to the front. The top-rated free agent at his position, I see Cook as an upgrade for a Bengals defense that allowed 233.8 passing yards per game last season (26th).
And here is what Bowen wrote about Chenal fitting in with the Bengals:
With his ability to pressure and walk up into the front, Chenal would give defensive coordinator Al Golden more flexibility within his game plans. In four seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal recorded 193 total tackles, seven sacks and 28 pressures.
Perhaps more importantly, the Bengals have seen how productive those two have been in big games up close. So these are actually very reasonable solutions to Cincinnati’s defensive woes.
The interesting thing about Cook is that signing him would take away the Bengals’ need to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs if they want to upgrade the safety position. Conversely, losing Cook would make it likelier that the Chiefs use the ninth overall selection on Downs, one spot before the Bengals go on the clock.
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That makes Cook a very intriguing free agent for the Bengals to watch for.