Five under-the-radar 2021 free agents the Bengals should target

Under-the-radar Bengals FA targets: DT Adam Butler

As previously mentioned, the Bengals need all the help they can get rushing the passer. In the minds of many, that means adding players on the edge.

However, interior players that can push the pocket are valuable as well and can help those guys out on the perimeter hit home more often. WhoDey Nation knows firsthand that this is true after watching Atkins in the jungle over the years.

Right now, there’s nobody on Cincinnati’s roster that you can really rely on to fill this role. D.J. Reader can be disruptive but he’s more known for the attributes that help him stop the run. Third-year player Renell Wren has some explosive traits that could make him a breakout pass-rushing candidate but again, until it’s proven, it would be unwise to rely on him for the pressures the team desperately needs.

That’s where Adam Butler comes in. He’s known as a rushing specialist along the interior and is coming off a career-high six sacks. Even better, he’s remained healthy so far over the course of his four-year professional career, only missing one of the 64 games he’s been eligible for. After experiencing countless injuries among the defensive tackle unit a year ago, the Bengals could use a durable player at the position.

Butler isn’t going to set the world on fire, but he is going to generate pressure and provide a moderate number of sacks. He’ll likely come on a relatively cheap contract and would be a nice addition to the defensive line rotation. If Renell pans out, new defensive line coach Marion Hobby all of the sudden has an interesting duo to trot out on third downs.