Cincinnati Bengals

5 players the Bengals must move on from in 2016

Published Jan. 20, 2016 4:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Cincinnati Bengals' season came to a disastrous ending with their playoff loss to Pittsburgh that left many calling for the heads of Vontaze Burfict, Adam "Pacman" Jones, and even head coach Marvin Lewis. Already down a handful of coaches, including offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, here are the players the Bengals should part ways with this offseason.

1. Adam Jones

Jones' penalty was the final nail in the coffin of the Bengals' postseason, costing Cincinnati its first playoff win in 25 years. Now it will likely cost the Bengals and arm and a leg to keep him. Jones is now an unrestricted free agent after being one of the league's best bargains at cornerback for the past three seasons. He has already said that he'd be willing to give the Bengals a hometown discount out of his loyalty to Marvin Lewis, but it's doubtful that discount will be deep enough to meet his needs. Of course, it's possible teams will shy away from Jones' antics, but at least the Bengals have former first-rounder Darqueze Dennard to step in opposite Dre Kirkpatrick.

Will this be the last sighting of Adam Jones in Cincinnati?

2. Andre Smith

Before the season, Smith said he was "tired of being mediocre" and said he was focused on becoming the best right tackle in the game. He came up short of that goal and the Bengals already drafted his replacement when they used their first two picks in 2015 on offensive tackles. Smith will be well paid wherever he ends up, but it won't be in Cincinnati. Either Cedric Ogbuehi or Jake Fisher will be the team's starting right tackle next season.

3. Brandon Tate

Tate was underwhelming in the return game and saw just nine snaps as a receiver. He only made $825,000 last season, but the Bengals would be better served using that money, and Tate's roster spot on someone else. Speed demon Mario Alford, last year's seventh-round pick, should get first crack at return duties next season.

4. Mohamed Sanu

Sanu's production fell off with the return of No. 2 receiver Marvin Jones. With both wideouts now free agents, the Bengals likely won't be able to keep both. The obvious keeper is Jones, leaving Sanu the odd man out, unless he's willing to take a below-market salary to remain in Cincinnati. If a bidding war emerges for Jones, however, Sanu may end up being the new starter opposite A.J. Green once again.

5. Leon Hall

The nine-year veteran has been a valuable part of the Bengals secondary since his first-round selection in 2007. A move to safety might be in the cards, but paying Hall a market salary for a corner of his stature isn't likely. At minimum, Hall would probably have to take a 50 percent pay cut from his $9.6 million salary in 2015 to stay in Cincinnati.

*All salary cap information comes from OverTheCap.com.