The Cincinnati Bengals have neglected the linebacker position this offseason for the most part, but help could be on the way after the latest roster cuts. Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson is newly available, and he'd go a long way toward raising the ceiling of the Bengals' persistent weakness.
Like cool, Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor, and Al Golden. Go nuts. Start Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter. I appreciate the conviction. You evidently trust them, and you trust Dexter Lawrence and the big boys up front to compensate for any of their shortcomings.
But you can't sit there with a straight face and tell me Dodson wouldn't beat either of them out if he came aboard.
Dolphins' surprise release of LB Tyrel Dodson should have Duke Tobin on high alert
As was reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Dolphins cut Tyrel Dodson loose on Sunday. Schultz has broken a lot of Bengals news on this here day, so here's hoping that's an omen that Dodson winds up in the Queen City.
I'm not holding my breath on Duke Tobin making some splashy move. He did just draft Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter last year. Tobin and the coaching staff seem content to stick to their guns and have Knight and Carter as the starting linebacker duo.
That doesn't mean the fanbase needs to be content with that strategy, though.
Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., and Bengals' linebacker depth are still suspect
As much as I love me some Swayze Bozeman and am thrilled he's on the initial 53-man roster, per NBC 5's Charlie Clifford, Cincinnati's linebacker room still leaves a lot to be desired.
I'm acknowledging that Knight and Carter could take major steps forward as second-year pros. However, even if they are markedly improved, like I'm talking significant progress, they'd still only be at fringe starter territory.
Like sure, the Bengals could settle for Knight and Carter, hope the defensive line play in front of them elevates their shortcomings, and cross their fingers. But why do that when someone like Dodson is suddenly sitting there on the open market?
Not that Dodson is without his faults, yet he's far better in coverage than Knight or Carter have proven to be to date. He's a sure tackler. Oh, and Dodson had five sacks last season, so Al Golden could really find a lot for him to do as a situational blitzer.
I'm just saying. Tyrel Dodson would be an appealing addition, even if he's in a LB3 role. Not sure he'd be down with that, but he could rotate in for a lot of snaps, flex out to the edge on occasion, and possibly supplant Knight or Carter if they aren't up to snuff.
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