The linebacker position could use some help and there’s still time for the Cincinnati Bengals to add to their unit prior to the 2021 season. A name that could interest the Bengals is Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks, who would be available for relatively cheap.
Hicks, who’s turning 29 at the end of the month, has posted over 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons. The Bengals could use a tackling machine like Hicks but might also fare better by waiting a year, as he’ll hit free agency at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
Chris Roling of Bleacher Report listed Hicks as a player who should be on the trade block and noted that sentiment about teams potentially waiting until free agency. He also brought up that the Cardinals drafted Hicks’ replacement in Zaven Collins, which pretty much spells the end of Hicks’ time in the desert.
The Bengals’ linebacker situation isn’t great, as they were one of the worst run defenses in the league last year and didn’t add much help to the position over the offseason. Logan Wilson is hopefully on his way to a breakout season but what will the Bengals get from Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither? That remains unknown.
Trading for Jordan Hicks could make sense for the Bengals.
Hicks isn’t going to come in and be the star of the team but he’d be depth at a position that desperately needs it. He’s not a sack artist either, but his 118 tackles last year are definitely something that stands out on his stat sheet.
At this point, if the Bengals did muster up a deal for Hicks, they’d have him under contract for one year and could see if he’s worth signing to an extension. He’s played in all 16 games the past two years, proving he’s durable.
Adding to last year’s fourth-worst run defense isn’t going to be frowned upon by the fans. Hicks might not a Pro Bowl-caliber player but he has experience under his belt and could help mentor this young group of linebackers.
What would you think of trading for Jordan Hicks? Is it something the Bengals should look into or should their linebacker group be left as is?