The Cincinnati Bengals had an unexpected setback on the first day of free agency, losing safety Vonn Bell.
Bell agreed to sign with the Carolina Panthers after spending the offseason to that point as the guy projected to most likely to re-sign with the Bengals.
While the team did indeed lose fellow starting safety Jessie Bates to the Atlanta Falcons, the other big shocker was the Cincinnati managing to get linebacker Germaine Pratt back.
Luckily for the Bengals, while replacing two starting safeties with knowledge of a complex system isn’t easy, the free-agent market still has plenty of names capable of coming in and starting right away.
These are the names to know.
Taylor Rapp, Rams
Rapp is 26 and had very good numbers against the run last season.
Julian Love, Giants
Love is 25 and projects more as a free safety, which would mean Dax Hill moving to the Vonn Bell role.
Juan Thornhill, Chiefs
Thornhill is 27 and, like Love, would require Hill moving to Bell’s spot.
John Johnson III, Browns
Johnson is 28 and only allowed 22 catches last season.
Donovan Wilson, Cowboys
Wilson is 28 and had solid run defense grades and is a great pass-rusher.
Update: Wilson re-signed with the Cowboys
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Eagles
CJGJ is 25 and solid in coverage, picking off six passes last year.
Jordan Poyer, Bills
Poyer is 31 but has elite coverage grades when healthy.
