Should Bengals go after this familiar bargain-bin free agent?

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t liable to make any big splashes from outside the organization at this point in the summer.

Still, it’s worth pointing out that a familiar name like Carl Lawson might be available.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently pointed this out when outlining 10 bargain-bin free agents, even mentioning the Bengals as a possible suitor:

While Lawson didn’t show much last season, he recorded seven sacks and 24 quarterback pressures in 2022. He also just turned 29 at the end of June.

A fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2017, Lawson is still under 30 years old and has been efficient at getting after quarterbacks on a rotational basis.

The Bengals have big hopes that first-rounder Myles Murphy can join Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson in a strong rotation. Joseph Ossai could be poised for a big contract year, too.

Even so, if Lawson comes at an affordable price over the summer, deepening the pass-rushing rotation before a 17-game season (and potentially more) isn’t the worst idea.