Cincinnati Bengals changing face of franchise with 1st pick
By The Associated Press - Apr. 15, 2020 10:38 AM EDT
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick stands on the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The Bengals released starting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, another move to overhaul their secondary after a 2-14 season. Kirkpatrick was a first-round pick in 2012 and started 67 games in eight seasons. He missed 10 games last season with a knee injury. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2019, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick stands on the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. The Bengals released starting cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, another move to overhaul their secondary after a 2-14 season. Kirkpatrick was a first-round pick in 2012 and started 67 games in eight seasons. He missed 10 games last season with a knee injury. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Michael Brockers (90) and defensive end Dante Fowler (56) during the first half of an NFL football game at Wembley Stadium in London. A person familiar with the deal says the Atlanta Falcons have agreed to sign outside linebacker Dante Fowler. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free-agent signings can't be announced until after the league year begins Wednesday afternoon, March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland, File)
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow passes against Clemson during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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1. CINCINNATI (2-14)

LAST SEASON: Bengals matched franchise mark for worst record in coach Zac Taylor’s first season. Winless at midseason, they started quest for next QB by benching Andy Dalton for three games in failed move to rookie Ryan Finley. Offensive line was again huge problem, and defense was shredded during 0-11 start that was worst in franchise history. Bengals have gone 29 years without playoff win, fifth-longest drought in NFL history.

FREE AGENCY: Lost CB Darqueze Dennard, TE Tyler Eifert, DL Andrew Billings. Released CBs Dre Kirkpatrick and B.W. Webb, LT Cordy Glenn and RG John Miller. Signed CBs Trae Waynes, Mackenzie Alexander and LeShaun Sims, S Vonn Bell, DT D.J. Reader, LB Josh Byrnes, G Xavier Su'a-Filo, WR Mike Thomas.

THEY NEED: QB, OL, LB, DL.

THEY DON’T NEED: RB, K, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: It’ll be a shock if they take anyone other than QB Joe Burrow, Heisman Trophy winner and national champion who would be good fit for Taylor’s offensive system.

OUTLOOK: Bengals have so many holes that one draft alone won’t fix things, but picking at top of rounds gives them chance to make up ground if they choose wisely. Burrow would step into franchise that has managed seven winning records in last 29 years. Cincinnati has gone through 18 starting QBs during that span, including Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Carson Palmer, who requested trade and threatened to retire rather than continue playing for Cincinnati after 2010 season.

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