Andre Smith reportedly re-signs with Bengals

Andre Smith lingered on the free-agent market for six weeks. (Michael Keating/AP) In the midst of all the NFL draft hubbub, the Cincinnati Bengals made a key

Andre Smith lingered on the free-agent market for six weeks. (Michael Keating/AP)

In the midst of all the NFL draft hubbub, the Cincinnati Bengals made a key move to shore up their offensive line. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Bengals are set to re-sign right tackle Andre Smith.

Smith had a tremendous 2012 season -- he graded out as the fourth-best offensive tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. Getting him back in the fold will allow the Bengals to focus elsewhere in the draft.

And that's not the only place this move should impact the draft. With Smith, arguably the best remaining free-agent lineman, now out of the picture, the Miami Dolphins could be more inclined to get their long-rumored deal done with Kansas City for Branden Albert. That trade seemed to be on the brink of being completed leading into the draft, but nothing had come out of it as of the start of Round 2.

Smith will slot back in on the right side of the Bengals' line, pushing Dennis Roland and Anthony Collins back out of the starting mix. With that, Cincinnati returns its entire starting five from last season.

Tyler Eifert