The Cincinnati Bengals have long been suggested as a fit for top defensive free agents this offseason after last year’s disaster under Al Golden.
Understandably, Jacksonville Jaguars star and former first-round pick Devin Lloyd comes up often.
That’s the case again this week, with Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron outlining the top free-agent linebackers and linking the Bengals and Lloyd yet again:
“Devin Lloyd fits the bill as the top free-agent linebacker this cycle, with a resume to back it up. The 27-year-old posted the second-highest PFF overall grade (89.1) among qualifying linebackers during the regular season, finishing as the only linebacker with an 80.0-plus mark in run defense (83.2), coverage (81.1) and pass rushing (82.2). That feat earned him a second-team All-Pro nod.”
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The elephant in the room? Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter will be sophomores the Benglas just spent a year developing on the fly. Adding a veteran to soak up the snaps now would work against that.
Still, Lloyd’s talent speaks for itself. So does the $20 million per year projection from Spotrac, at a three-year pact worth $60 million.
The Bengals might balk at $30.2 million on a franchise tag for Trey Hendrickson, so going $20 million per year or more for one free agent might be a reach.
Linebacker is certainly a concern, though. Part of the reason the defense flopped so hard is because veterans like Oren Burks couldn’t step up and take snaps in the base defense. It’s undoubtedly going to be addressed in free agency, but perhaps not with a top-dollar option.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Jaguars star still looks like one of Bengals’ top free-agency options
