A week and a few days into the NFL’s free agency period. The Cincinnati Bengals is experiencing the effects of their recent success.

The cost of their success is shown through recent departures. The Bengals bid adieu last week to safety Jessie Bates III. He’s joining the Atlanta Falcons in a move that seemed inevitable. After the Bengals franchise tagged him during the last off-season. Bates and the front office didn’t come to terms on an extension. Meanwhile, safety Vonn Bell and tight end Hayden Hurst are now Carolina Panthers teammates. After they were Bengals teammates last year.

Semaje Perine joining the Denver Broncos is the move that could impact the Bengals the most. The running back was a reliable rushing option for the Bengals. Keeping the Bengals from being overly dependent on Joe Mixon rushing-wise. While losing these players is rough news for the Bengals. Cincinnati’s status as a contender benefits the team in one way.

The Bengals are an attractive team for some high-profile free agents. Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot’s reported interest in the Bengals is a prime example. Cincinnati’s in a great position to boost their roster through free agency without overreacting. They can focus on what they need and not break the bank while attracting players from contenders. Orlando Brown Jr. joining the Bengals showcases his new team’s position.

Brown Jr. is an offensive tackle the Bengals added to their roster last week. He played the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Which followed the first three seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. Being teammates with Joe Burrow is something Brown Jr. is vocally excited about. Cincinnati responded to Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III’s departures; by adding former Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Ross. So, the Bengals have added players from the last two Super Bowl champions. While the Bengals lost players to teams striving to be contenders.

The Falcons are looking to the future with Desmond Ridder set to be their franchise quarterback. Carolina could utilize the top overall draft pick to select a quarterback. Denver is trying to build a roster quarterback Russell Wilson can win with. All while the prospect of being teammates with Joe Burrow is wooing players from recent contenders to Cincinnati. Meanwhile, one of the Bengals defensive stars is staying in Cincinnati.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt re-signed with the Bengals last week. He’s a major playmaker on one of the best defensive units in the league. Retaining Pratt is a move that can give Bengals fans some confidence about next season. Recent transactions could also guide the Bengals approach to the upcoming NFL Draft. Losing Hayden Hurst could prompt the Bengals to draft a tight end in the early rounds.

Notre Dame Football tight end and Northern Kentucky native Michael Mayer is someone the Bengals can consider. Whether Mayer is available when the Bengals make their first pick will be a major factor. Cincinnati is set to have the 28th pick in the first round. If Mayer’s not available, University of Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle is someone else to consider. Drafting a running back is something else for the Bengals to seriously consider. Having a variety of reliable rushing options is something a team shouldn’t pass up.

With offensive tackle Jonah Williams asking to be traded. After the Bengals added offensive tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Cody Ford. Drafting an offensive lineman is another option for the Bengals. Cincinnati bulked up their offensive line last year primarily through free agency. However, injuries are a persistent concern for their o-line. Even with the additions they made last year. The Bengals o-line struggled with injuries late last season.

Overall, Cincinnati is striving to keep the good times going. The next month could go a long way in achieving that goal.