In a variety of ways, the Cincinnati Bengals went all-in this offseason.
Going all-in with Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter at linebacker is certainly one of those.
It seemed obvious that the Bengals would add at least one veteran linebacker this offseason after not doing so one year ago, then getting the disastrous results from the positional group.
But the Bengals have now made it through minicamp and have yet to notably add to the roster at that spot despite free agency still offering some value.
By far the most popular name in that regard is Bobby Wagner.
But while outlining one final move each team should make, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz focuses on Bobby Okereke for the Bengals.
“He’s much more of a run stopper than a pass coverage guy, but so is Wagner at this point, and Okereke is less likely to be in decline as he turns 30 in late July,” Schatz wrote. “And like Wagner, Okereke is a high-character locker room influence, as he was the Giants’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season.”
Soon to be 30 and a former third-round pick, Okereke is certainly another veteran option the Bengals could look at as quality depth and leadership.
That’s something the Bengals could look for during training camp, should the need arise. But they found the veteran leadership for the defense in other areas with names like Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen.
The spotlight, then, will be on whether Knight and Carter start proving the organization right on the field during camp.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals could still add key free agent during training camp
