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CINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 25: Head coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals walks the sidelines in the game against the Cleveland Brownsat Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

The Bengals need to build around Joe Burrow in free agency. Here are five players Cincinnati should target to take a step forward in 2021.

Protecting Joe Burrow must be the Bengals' top priority of the offseason. This franchise is going nowhere if it continues to put its franchise quarterback under constant duress. Cincinnati might use some of their draft capital to strengthen their options up front, but acquiring veterans to upgrade the offensive line could be the safer, more prudent course of action.

The Bengals might make some moves on the edges to bolster their defensive talent, but every big move they make should be on the offensive side of the ball. Burrow's injury last season wasn't an accident. It was a product of the offensive line's inability to keep him upright. The group must be overhauled this offseason.

The team could also stand to improve the offensive weaponry available to Burrow. In particular, they could benefit from an upgrade to their options at tight end. The first name on this list could present a low-cost addition that could pay big dividends for the Bengals.

5. Gerald Everett

Adding Everett isn't going to transform Cincinnati's passing game, but he can give Burrow a quality safety valve to leverage when he's under pressure. He's a big body who's shown the ability to break tackles at an impressive rate. He lacks the top-end speed to trouble opposing secondaries over the top, but he can keep the Bengals' offense on schedule with his solid play.

Cincinnati shouldn't break the bank to land Everett this offseason, but giving him a multi-year deal with an average annual salary of something around $6 million would give the team reasonable value.

CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 03: Hunter Henry #86 of the Los Angeles Chargers on the sideline while playing the Green Bay Packers at Dignity Health Sports Park on November 3, 2019 in Carson, California. Chargers won 26-11. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

4. Hunter Henry

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There's also a strong chance the Bengals could look for a bigger upgrade at the tight end position. If they're willing to spend the money, Henry could give their passion game a big jolt.

He would immediately become one of Burrow's favorite weapons. He doesn't have elite speed, but he's fast enough to trouble opposing safeties down the seam. Henry's real strength is his ability to run a diverse route tree at a high-level in the middle of the field.

He's just the sort of weapon that can help Cincinnati's offense stay on schedule. His big frame allows him to effectively shield defenders from the football whenever he's matched up in single coverage. Slot corners have no chance to contain him due to his size advantage. Plenty of starting safeties also struggle to contain Henry due to their lack of size and stature.

Henry may never turn into the All-Pro the Chargers believed he could be coming out of college, but he could become a perennial Pro Bowler if he gels with Burrow in Cincinnati. Keep an eye on the Bengals as a dark-horse suitor if Henry's market fails to materialize.

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 27: Brandon Scherff #75 of the Washington Football Team walks off the field after the game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField on December 27, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

3. Brandon Scherff

The Bengals need to be involved with every talented interior offensive lineman who hits the open market. Scherff is one of the top guards who has a chance to change teams this offseason.

Cincinnati should approach him with a sizable offer. Scherff can help their run game with his combination of above-average strength and quickness on the inside. Perhaps more importantly, Scherff profiles as one of the best pass-blockers in the NFL at his position. He would immediately give Burrow a much cleaner pocket to throw from in 2021.

Predictably, Washington is going to make a big effort to hang on to Scherff. That's why any team looking to pry him away from Ron Rivera and company will need to come with a sizable contract offer.

The Bengals might have to flirt with a multi-year offer with an average annual value approaching $20 million to get a deal done. That might seem like an unwieldy premium for a guard, but Cincinnati's need to protect Burrow is that dire. Overpaying for an established star like Scherff would be an understandable decision.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 16: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers stands under center in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

2. Corey Linsley

Not many All-Pro offensive linemen hit the open market via free agency, but Linsley is a notable exception to that rule. He was named to the prestigious squad this offseason after a terrific campaign protecting Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.

Cincinnati used a first rounder on Billy Price with the hopes that he could turn into that kind of center, but he's struggled to even hold down a starting spot on the team's porous offensive line. Finding an upgrade at center is a necessity for the Bengals this offseason.

The only question here is whether or not Cincinnati should pay Linsley the big-money he'll be looking for in free agency. He's got a strong history of solid play and 2020 was arguably the best season of his career. He's hitting the open market at the perfect time.

If the Bengals want to sign him to keep pressure out of Burrow's face they'll need to come with a multi-year deal that exceeds $10 million per season. That's a lot of cash for a position that most teams feel they can fill on the cheap, but Cincinnati can't afford to take that risk any longer.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 20: Joe Thuney #62 of the New England Patriots in action against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

1. Joe Thuney

Thuney is right there with Scherff in a battle to be considered the top guard in this free agent class. He gets an edge on this list because the Patriots are more likely to let him leave rather than give him the lucrative, multi-year contract he'll be looking for on the open market.

The 28-year-old isn't a classic road-grader on the inside, but his excellent use of technique and leverage helps him move defensive tackles around on the interior. Thuney's real value comes with his ability to protect his quarterback. He regularly grades out as one of the best pass-blocking guards in the NFL.

Some teams might shy away from Thuney because of his lack of elite measurables or athleticism, but the Bengals can't afford to be that choosy. At worst, he'll give them above-average guard play over the life of his next deal. That's a sizable upgrade over the misfits Cincinnati trotted out on the inside last season.

The Bengals should be careful not to give Thuney too many years in free agency, but a three-year contract with an average annual value of anything less than $15 million would be a win for the franchise. Protecting Burrow is that important.