The Cincinnati Bengals have made it clear they intend to add some depth to the defensive line and front seven this offseason.
And while the draft seems like a good place to do so, free agency offers up some interesting ideas too as the unit keeps moving toward more of a multiple look under Lou Anarumo.
Here are a few free agent egde defenders to keep an eye on who could potentially be in the team’s price range. We’ve already looked at free agents in the offensive tackles, guards and linebackers areas.
Vic Beasley
It’s hard to get a read on what Beasley could earn on the open market after his team up and announced they just aren’t interested in having him back.
But plenty of onlookers suggested the Falcons just weren’t using the No. 8 pick from 2015 correctly:
Even so, Beasley had eight sacks last year with seven hurries and 18 pressures. Provided the market doesn’t bump up his pricetag to massive heights, he could be an interesting reclamation project for Anarumo to move all over the place while letting him get after quarterbacks.
Carl Nassib
Nassib, a former third-round pick by Cleveland who spent the last two years wasting away in Tampa Bay, is only 26.
With at least six sacks in each of his last two seasons alongside five hurries and 17 pressures over 630 snaps last year, Nassisb has the making of an interesting rotational add who can strengthen depth.
And at this point, a high-profile class featuring names like Jadeveon Clowney could allow the Bengals to sneak in and get a nice value buy.
Shaq Lawson
Lawson quietly had a solid season in Buffalo, drumming up 6.5 sacks and standing tall against the run.
Add in 28 pressures and 12 hurries over 483 snaps to the sack count and it only looks more appealing. Keep in mind the former first-round pick only turns 26 over the summer.
Whispers of “bust” status chase Lawson given his status as a former 19th pick and Buffalo declined his fifth year. But the transition to hand-in-dirt edge gives him some interesting versatility as a depth piece in Cincinnati, where he’d be free of first-round expectations.
Bud Dupree
Dupree is easily the priciest free agent listed here after a breakout season, though it remains to be seen if teams will actually buy into the idea of the breakout and pay him big.
But the familiarity within the AFC North helps. Dupree shed the bust label in 2019 after Pittsburgh made him a No. 22 pick in 2015. He erupted with 11.5 sacks, 11 hurries and 28 pressures with 68 total tackles on nearly 1,000 snaps.
Suddenly a complete player on his highest snap count total in five years, Dupree is an interesting buy as he turns 27 and perhaps heads into his prime. If the Bengals want to improve and hurt a rival, this is one way.
