The Cincinnati Bengals need help at linebacker.
Plus, they have a lot of cap space.
So it makes perfect sense that they’d sign the best linebacker in this free agent class.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay put together a list of the best team fits for the top free agents, and he thinks the Bengals are the most logical landing spot for Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd.
Kay wrote that Lloyd delivered in a contract year by leading a stout Jags defense to the playoffs. He continued to write:
Lloyd was
able to play sideline-to-sideline defense, amassing 81 tackles, seven pass defenses, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He showed incredible instincts and playmaking ability too, racking up five interceptions and even returning one for a 99-yard touchdown.
The analyst then connected that performance to Cincinnati’s needs:
Lloyd would be a massive upgrade to Cincy’s linebacking corps. The team struggled to get worthwhile production from the position last year, relying on overmatched rookies in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. to play sizable roles. With Lloyd excelling in both coverage and against the run last year, he’s proven to be the type of do-it-all talent that the Bengals desperately need to bolster their defense.
The contract that Kay projected Lloyd to get from the Bengals is for four years and $59 million.
If Duke Tobin and company are serious about winning, this seems like a pretty easy decision to make.
