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Cincinnati Bengals: Possible targets at 2018 NFL Trade Deadline

By Kenn Korb

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders signals first down after catching a long pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 28: Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders signals first down after catching a long pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Lorenzo Alexander #57 of the Buffalo Bills looks at fans before an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 29: Lorenzo Alexander #57 of the Buffalo Bills looks at fans before an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 29, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

LB Lorenzo Alexander, Buffalo Bills

The linebackers for Cincinnati are a mess. Even when healthy they are putting out one of the slowest three-man starting corps the league has to offer at the position, and they have been hit hard in terms of that as well.

Vontaze Burfict has not been the same player this season when he’s been able to even suit up (due to injury and suspension). Nick Vigil is finally showing something as a starter, but he’s been out long-term with a knee injury. All the others here are slow (Preston Brown), old (Vincent Rey), get exploited in coverage (Jordan Evans), or can’t even break through the rotation to see the field (Malik Jefferson).

This team needs some help at the position, or what we saw happen to them against Kansas City over the middle is what could kill them every week.

That’s where Alexander comes into play. Buffalo plays tough on defense but they are clearly out of it this year and need to make long-term plans. Alexander is playing at a high level now, but it isn’t enough to help this team win this season, and there’s a better chance he’ll be retired before the Bills are ready to compete again than there is that he’ll be playing at this sort of level beyond this season. If they play it smart, they’ll get something for him while they can.

If he’s available, Cincinnati should jump on that chance immediately. Alexander would quickly add speed to the linebacking corps (the 35-year old recorded a 4.65 40-yard dash just last year), and he’s playing at a level none of Cincy’s guys can touch. He’ll never approach his crazy sack numbers of 2016 again (12.5 that year; 14.5 in other 11 years combined), but his overall play has been astonishly good.

His 90.3 overall Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grade beats all stand-up linebackers and is bested only by Dee Ford among edge rushers, while his 91.6 coverage grade is the best of any defender in PFF’s database this year.

He would be a great addition for other reasons as well. He is generally cheap ($3.6 million cap hit for the season; a good portion of that would already have been covered by Buffalo), with a contract running out at the end of this season so Cincinnati doesn’t have to worry about a long-term commitment.

His snaps have gone down in recent weeks too — a hint that Buffalo may be looking to move him. Based on his age and position, a mid-round pick may be all it takes to get Alexander off their hands.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.

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