The Bengals have their plan for free agency and the NFL Draft, and head coach Marvin Lewis called the defensive and offensive lines - in that order - the team's top areas of need in the offseason.

"We want to address the front defensively, first of all, both through free agency and the draft," Lewis said.

The Bengals had just 22 sacks in 2007 and were last in the NFL in sacks per pass play

"We have to take a hard look at rushers on defense," Lewis said. "That has to be a priority."

The Bengals also will give running back some attention.

"We will take a hard look at our running back position," Lewis said. "Rudi J. (Johnson) will be energized and excited to come back (from a hamstring injury that slowed him in 2007). ... Hopefully we'll have the presence of Chris Perry (who missed the 2007 season as he recovered from ankle and lower leg injuries)."

The Bengals also are hoping for the return of Kenny Irons, a 2007 second-round pick who tore knee ligaments in the preseason.

"We'll be a little bit unsure of Kenny Irons right now," Lewis said. "We know we have to run the football more productively to be a better football team."

TIGHT ENDS: With the scouting combine starting a week from today, Lewis gave Bengals fans news many have wanted to hear:The team is looking seriously at drafting a receiving-oriented tight end.

"We're going to look at a guy who can run and catch who we can develop into a good blocker at the point of attack," Lewis said. "To have another weapon on early downs, I think we're going to have to say, 'Let's take a less physical player and go get a guy we think is a better receiver.' "

The Bengals have the ninth draft pick and also select early in the second and third rounds. The top four tight ends on many draft experts' lists are expected to be available in the second round: Southern Cal's Fred Davis, Notre Dame's John Carlson, Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett and Missouri's Martin Rucker.

SIGNED: Safety Herana-Daze Jones, a key special teams player, signed a one-year contract with the Bengals Wednesday. He was an exclusive-rights free agent.

Though he missed seven games and ended the season on the injured reserve list because of a knee injury, Jones led the kicking game with 18 tackles.

FRANCHISE TAG: The Bengals have until Feb. 21 to use their franchise tag. It is a designation that can be applied to one unrestricted free agent per team to limit his movement in free agency.

End Justin Smith was the Bengals' franchise player last season. Smith, offensive lineman Stacy Andrews and free safety Madieu Williams appear to be the top three candidates to get the tag this year.

"We have been in discussion with most of our free-agent players, regarding contracts, the possibility of the ones that would be in our best interest to try to re-sign," Lewis said. "Hopefully, we don't have to (use the tag). We will use it if we need to."

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