Once again, the Cincinnati Bengals are heading into a crucial offseason after a disaster of a year marred by injury and another postseason spent on the couch.
Key players like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are in their prime. Cincinnati has a litany of holes on the roster, and a front office that has a history of being conservative in free agency. Thus, this upcoming draft will be the difference between the Bengals being in contention or being disappointments to the Cincy faithful.
While rookies are often given the chance to get an actual transition to the NFL and spend a season or two adjusting, the Bengals are in a position where they are going to need some day-one contributors who can step in and make an impact immediately-- especially from whoever they draft on the defensive side of the ball.