With Lawson gone, safe to say we’re going to be looking to funnel some resources to the EDGE. Ogbah got after the QB last year, but lack of pressure was a problem during stretches last season. It is a very strong year for EDGE free agents... which makes the Lawson/McKinney trade make even more sense. Jadeveon Clowney (28), Shaq Barrett (29) Matt Judon (29) Bud Dupree (28) Yannick Ngakoue (26) Hassan Reddick (27) Leonard Floyd (29) Romeo Okwara (26) Carl Lawson (26) Melvin Ingram (32) Justin Houston (32) And then some more name guys who likely won’t have a huge price tag like Olivier Vernon, Ryan Kerrigan, Dietrich Wise (26 + Pats connection), Denico Autry, Kyle Fackrell. Personally I think we target Reddick, Ngakoue, Okwara, Lawson or Wise. Current brass has a history of targeting younger free agents.
He was still productive last year with 9 sacks. Crazy he is only 30 years old. Feels like he left forever ago !!
I think you grab a name free agent and invest a high pick on EDGE. We are super thin and Ogbah only has one year left. Wouldn’t mind bringing Biegel back on the cheap for depth either.
Joseph Ossai is really intriguing around #18. Kwity Paye as well if he falls that far. That said, if we want Najee Harris, it has to be at that 18 slot too.
Yeah, we had Wake and Suh on that d-line when Vernon had that solid year with us. Who would have thought he was actually legit without two other superstars demanding all the attention? Besides, I miss that incredibly awkward Pee-Wee dance!
From a Bengals writer/blogger in response to Carl Lawson’s tweet (below) right after the Shaq Lawson. He is paying close attention to us it seems...
Wow those guys got paid and didn’t even make it to the open market ! Thought it might be a little different with no increase to the cap this year and so many pass rushers available... not going to be the case I see now !
Watching them all fly off the board and the Jets and Pats landing top tagets... don’t love it. Hopefully we take a run at Reddick.
I get it. I am taking solace in the fact that we still have tons of room, there are good options available ... and that offseason champions often don't carry that into the season. The Pats moves aren't bad, but reek of BB smarting after Brady won a ring away from him while he missed the playoffs. The Jests are making good moves, but it's because they have a massive load of cap room because they were atrocious. That said, I do hope we strike and get a dude or two. Other teams are getting better on paper, we must be cautious not to fall behind.
Are there any DE's you guys like in the draft? Jaelen Philips is an interesting, if risky, prospect who could fall and be picked up mid to late second.
I like Collins but he’s OLB. That DE form GA is intriguing. That’s what’s interesting about this years draft, there isn’t a clear cut best edge rusher. Normally we’d be in prime position to get one or have draft order value for the #2 QB.