5 free agents that could bolster Cincinnati Bengals defense in 2022

5. K.J. Wright, LB

Despite the overhaul on defense, the Bengals chose not to upgrade the linebacker position over the offseason. They obviously felt good about the trio of Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Germaine Pratt, and for the most part — They’ve been spot on there.

With that said, however, depth at the position is needed and K.J. Wright is one of the better linebackers hitting free agency this spring. The former fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State spent the first 10 years of his career with the Seahawks before signing with the Raiders late in the 2021 offseason.

In nine games with the Raiders, Wright has 23 tackles. He’s been known as a tackling machine, notching over 100 tackles in five of his 11 seasons including four consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2017.

Wright wouldn’t be a starter at this point in his career, but the 32-year-old (33 by next season) is still a valuable talent on defense. Spotrac has his market value at two years for $14 million, which seems reasonable for a player of his caliber.