Cincinnati Bengals: Kwon Alexander is worth a look in free agency
The Cincinnati Bengals could still use some help at the linebacker position and if they’re looking to bring in a veteran option, Kwon Alexander is worth taking a flier on. Alexander, a former fourth-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2015, was cut by the Saints earlier this offseason but that’s not an indictment on his talent.
Alexander is a very good player but the reason he’s still waiting for a new home in the NFL is that he’s been incredibly injury-prone during the course of his career. In six NFL seasons, Alexander has played all 16 games just once, which came during his second year in 2016. That’s problematic for sure but the Bengals wouldn’t be signing Alexander to be a game-changer, but rather, as a depth piece.
The Bengals already have their linebacker unit somewhat set with Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, and Akeem Davis-Gaither as their projected starters. Wilson is entering year two with the Bengals and showed a lot of promise as a rookie before getting injured. Pratt and Davis-Gaither need to bounce back in 2021.
Kwon Alexander would give the Bengals depth at linebacker.
Alexander turns 27 in early August so he’s still young and there’s still a lot of untapped potential there. Before he got injured last season, he recorded 27 tackles, four defended passes, and two recovered fumbles in seven games with the Saints. He had been traded to New Orleans after spending the first half of the season with the 49ers.
The production is certainly there with Alexander but the worries surrounding his health are why he’s still available in free agency. Fortunately, the Bengals wouldn’t be counting on him to carry the load but to help lead a group of young linebackers and serve as a depth piece.
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This move makes almost too much sense for the Bengals but the injuries are a lingering question mark and will be for the rest of Kwon Alexander’s career. If he gets medically cleared, the Bengals should make sure they book him a flight to Cincinnati and do what they can to bring him in for 2021.