It is no secret that Cincinnati Bengals need to face the offensive line at some point during this off-season. Many fans expect the team not to wait until recruitment to fill those gaps, and a player who can help stem fans’ desire to start a riot is to go after the newly launched center Rodney Hudson.
The former Las Vegas Raiders chief and striker was inexplicably cut off by the team that gave him an extension last season, after having another reliable season in 2020. The veteran center will turn 32 in early 2021, but he hasn’t yet seems to have slowed down and he has been continuously the anchor of talented offensive lines during his 10 seasons.
Age and position can make some fans wonder why Bengals would be interested. Trey Hopkins has been dependable at the center since he was moved in, but his return from a long-suffering ACL at the end of the season left him on the air. In addition, Hopkins has a lot of experience as a guard, so he can be kicked out and make room for Hudson.
Teams that could use Rodney Hudson:
Dolphins
Pats
Ravens
Bengals
thieves
Texans
Broncos
Bosses
Cowboys
Giants
Falcons
Cards
Rams
49ers
SeahawksIn addition: the Raiders
– Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) March 16, 2021
It also looks like the Bengals will be the heavy offensive line in the draft this season. This means that having an experienced player like Hudson in the middle, making calls, can be extremely useful. Not to mention that off the field being able to help explain from the players’ point of view how the racing blocking protections and schemes should look for a group that may have to freeze on the move with many new faces. That stability in the middle can be invaluable in protecting Joe Burrow next season.
The only thing that hurts Cincinnati’s chances is that they are likely to have a fierce competition for Hudson. Your first stop may be on your old team, Kansas City, to play for a candidate. There are also teams like the Cardinals, which have a great need in the center and are also closer to the west coast. The only way for the Bengals to have a chance is to pay a little extra, which does not seem like something they have been willing to do so far in this free agency period. That’s the price for being a reconstruction team, however.
I don’t say it lightly: Rodney Hudson is in the conversation to be the most reliable striker in the league.
He is an absolute anchor in the middle of the line and still plays a great ball at 32.
Every team that needs a center should call it immediately.
– Yates Field (@FieldYates) March 16, 2021
Hopefully, Cincinnati is able to land the veteran who may be one of the best strikers in 2021. He may not be a long-term solution, but Hudson still has some good years left. It could go a long way in improving this crime.