The Bengals are in talks to sign former Rams safety Nick Scott in free agency.
On Thursday night, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott to a contract, becoming their third free agent signing in about 24 hours.
Jordan Schultz of The Score broke the news, while Brad Spielberger of PFF was the first to announce that a deal was nearly completed. Scott paid a visit to the Bengals early Thursday.
Scott, a seventh-round pick in 2019, will be 28 in May. He is a very athletic defensive back who projects well next to Dax Hill in the secondary.
Interestingly, the Bengals said Thursday night that they would also meet with Scott’s teammate, safety Taylor Rapp, in the coming days. That might still be an option if the Bengals want to add more depth to their secondary.
For now, the Bengals have a player in Scott who can start next to Hill immediately next season.
According to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue and Paul Dehner Jr., the Rams appear to have made a late push to retain Scott:
Jermaine Burton identified as ideal scheme fit for Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals selected wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft for a variety of reasons.
One of those was for his ability to bridge the gap for the offense as the open space around him changes.
According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, Burton’s versatility to play numerous positions and give different things for the offense is one of the seven picks that will land in an excellent system fit.
Burton has a fantastic opportunity to become the type of receiver that Burrow enjoys throwing the ball to. He possesses the route-running ability to play in the slot and replace Tyler Boyd’s role in Year 1.
No doubt, the Bengals liked Burton’s scheme fit and saw him as a steal in Round 3.
As a rookie, Burton might become the primary slot receiver (possibly splitting reps with tight end Mike Gesicki depending on position).
If the Bengals lose Tee Higgins after 2024 — and this remains a major if despite the current expectation — Burton may slip to the boundary.
Given how the Bengals like to move Ja’Marr Chase to the slot to create mismatches, Burton might receive a lot of reps in both areas as a rookie.
