Cincinnati Bengals: Michael Johnson, EDGE
For 4 the last 5 years, Michael Johnson has had 5 sacks and in the other season he had 4. It doesn’t matter whether he plays 85% of the snaps or if he only plays 60%, that is just who he is.
Why would he be available?
Those numbers are fine as a backup pass rusher, but for a starter? No that just won’t do it. With guys like Carl Lawson, Carlos Dunlap, Sam Hubbard (shudder), and Jordan Willis all in the mix to get snaps at EDGE how can you justify giving him starter reps?
I only bring that up because right now he has the Bengals 8th highest cap number. That guy is generally getting real snaps on your defense.
The Bengals (a cheap organization) could cut cost and actually help their young players develop with this move.
What would he bring to the Titans?
Like a poor man’s Suggs, Johnson would bring a 4th pass rusher to this team that is actually proven and deserves to be in the NFL.
I love what Aaron Wallace could be, but his injury history scares me to death. Dodd may not even make it to the regular season much less make an impact once he sees the field.
Josh Carraway and Sharif Finch are fun projects, but I don’t know if you want to take a risk on them playing 300 snaps this year on the 2nd DL, especially if you are going to try to make a deep playoff run.
Finding an overpriced, veteran pass rusher isn’t the worst idea if the Titans decide to not frontload some of those contract extensions like I want them to (Lewan, Mariota, Orakpo, Morgan, etc.)