21. CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-9)
LAST SEASON: After five straight playoff appearances - and NFL-record five straight first-round losses - Bengals have had back-to-back losing seasons, which would mean change at top for most teams. Instead, coach Marvin Lewis - 0-7 in playoffs - got two-year contract extension through 2019. There were moves with staff, notable for reluctant-to-change organization. Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after 0-2 start and replaced long-time offensive line coach Paul Alexander after season. Bill Lazor was retained as offensive coordinator for 2018 and given latitude to overhaul offense that finished last in league. Line was biggest problem, and Bengals took first step toward addressing it by acquiring LT Cordy Glenn in trade with Buffalo, also swapping 12th and 21st picks in first round. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther left to join Jon Gruden with Raiders.
THEY NEED: C, OT, LB, DE, S.
THEY DON’T NEED: P, K, LS.
POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: C James Daniels, Iowa; T Connor Williams, Texas; T Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame; LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama.
OUTLOOK: Trade for Glenn was merely first step in addressing team’s biggest problem. C Russell Bodine signed two-year deal with Buffalo, leaving hole in middle of line. RT Jake Fisher had procedure to fix irregular heartbeat last season but expects to return. Until Bengals get line fixed, there’s not much hope for significant improvement. QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green return for eighth season together, coming off what was least-productive one. Bengals expected top two picks last season, WR John Ross and RB Joe Mixon, to bring big-play abilities as rookies, but neither did much. Ross was hurt most of season and played in three games without getting catch; he carried one time and fumbled. Mixon became starter after Jeremy Hill got hurt and finished with 636 yards and 3.5-yard average as running game was one of worst in franchise history.
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