The Cincinnati Bengals need linebackers. The New York Jets might be looking to move a former top-20 pick.
It makes too much sense, right?
Those Jets spent big to sign C.J. Mosley in free agency and sound like a team ready to wheel and deal when it comes to Lee, according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini: “If there are no takers, they could hold on to him for a while longer, holding out hope. They had success with that approach two years ago, waiting until June to deal safety Calvin Pryor, another disappointing former first-round pick (No. 18 overall in 2014).”
Lee wouldn’t cost the Bengals much via trade, to say the least. And they are, after all, the team with five picks in the sixth round.
Taking a flier on Lee would make plenty of sense for the Bengals. He hasn’t lived up to his billing as the 20th pick in 2016 by any means, but he started to show some progress last year. He’ll still only 25 years old and is an Ohio State product, which matters to the folks in the building.
Lee comes with some baggage and potential. He spent the last four games of 2018 suspended after a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy. But he’s also a faster linebacker with good pass coverage potential, something the Bengals need after years of seeking out bigger ‘backers.
At the end of the day, shipping away some late-round picks for a top-20 talent who is still developing and fits an area of need is a worthwhile pursuit. If the Bengals can get the Jets to agree on a price, there isn’t much of a reason to say no here.
