With offseason workouts and minicamps in the rearview mirror and training camps just a few weeks away, we assess the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason moves and assign a letter grade in the video above.
Best move: Michael Johnson's free-agency return was the highlight of a mostly boring offseason for the Bengals. A team that returned 20 starters at its 22 offensive and defensive positions, the Bengals really didn't have much to do in the way of adding players from the outside. Their offseason hinged in large part on the re-signing of kicker Mike Nugent, offensive guard Clint Boling and middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. Once those moves were made, the Bengals' top priority was to get a good pass-rusher who could aid a defensive line that was among the league's worst the past season. Johnson, a 2009 third-round Bengals pick, ended up being that addition. In the one year he spent away from Cincinnati (with the Buccaneers), the Bengals collected a league-worst 20 sacks. They didn't have a true No. 2 pass-rusher to pair with Carlos Dunlap, but now they do.
Riskiest move: It's hard to qualify any of the Bengals' moves as risky. They didn't have many they absolutely had to make this year, thanks to solid returning depth. Perhaps the riskiest moves were at quarterback. Terrelle Pryor's signing and subsequent controversial release last week caught a lot of attention. That clearly didn't pan out. Cincinnati was looking for the former Ohio State star to compete with AJ McCarron for the top backup quarterback job. Before being waived, Pryor was the Bengals' fourth-string signal-caller. Also risky was the decision to bring back Josh Johnson, the current No. 3 quarterback, who apparently won't be taking any meaningful snaps for Cincinnati this year. It will be good to have a third arm around for training camp, but that's about all the use the Bengals appear to have for Johnson.
Getting healthy: Free agency and a good, depth-building draft aside, what made the Bengals' offseason most successful was they got healthier and maintained that health through organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. Receiver Marvin Jones and tight end Tyler Eifert were among those who fully recovered from injuries that held them out nearly all of the past season. Eifert suited up for eight plays in the season opener before dislocating an elbow. That injury, along with a shoulder issue, sidelined him all year. Jones never made it on the field for a game after suffering multiple foot and ankle injuries in the offseason and preseason. Both were impressive during this year's OTAs and minicamp, though. Offensive tackle Andre Smith was another starter who recovered from a late-season triceps issue. Only rookie Cedric Ogbuehi (ACL) and linebacker Vontaze Burfict (microfracture surgery on his knee) appear to be question marks entering training camp.
Training camp outlook: If the Bengals get Burfict back at some point during training camp, they'll be as close to full strength entering the season as they could hope to be. It's doubtful they will have him back that quickly, though, as they are trying to remain patient with his return from a serious January knee surgery. There's a possibility he could begin the year on the physically unable to perform list. Otherwise, the roster is pretty well set. There will be battles later this summer at cornerback (where it appears Dre Kirkpatrick holds a slight advantage over Darqueze Dennard), receiver (can Jones beat out Mohamed Sanu for No. 2 receiver duties?) and defensive tackle (eight players are vying for possibly four spots).