Cincinnati Bengals: Possible targets at 2018 NFL Trade Deadline

DE Kerry Wynn, New York Giants

The defensive line was supposed to be the strength of a really good defensive unit this season; entering the year, they had as much depth and talent as any single unit in the entire league. While they’ve had a couple big games this season though, they’ve far too often been an unfortunate disappointment when the team has most needed them to step up and exert their influence on the game.

Geno Atkins has been consistently at a high level all the time, but everyone else has left something to be desired too many times this year. Carlos Dunlap is often very good, but can disappear for long stretches. Michael Johnson is washed up. The young talents have been too inconsistent, sometimes going for games at a time without any of them really getting onto the stat sheet.

Injuries have been another hurdle, and it is getting worse. Ryan Glasgow was proving to be the exact player needed alongside Atkins this year, but his season ended in Week 3 with a torn ACL. Now pass rush specialist Carl Lawson has joined him on IR with the same injury.

Of all the young players in the rotation, those two were possibly the two who could least afford to be lost for any significant time. Without them, the team has a glaring need for at least one more talented body thrown into the rotational mix. It’s tough to find many players who can fit that mold, is actually available, and will be cheap to acquire, but Wynn might count as one.

To be clear: Wynn is not going to fix the pass rush issues. He’s only grabbed 4.5 sacks in 57 career games, and his 51.8 Pro Football Focus (subscription required) pass rush grade this year would point to that not changing at any time.

What he would be brought in to do is replace Johnson’s role in the rotation. Johnson is supposed to be a good run defender with some pass rush prowess, but he’s playing as if he needs his role reduced to nothing. Wynn could force that change with his 81.4 PFF run defense grade.

As for the cost to acquire him, it shouldn’t be too high: he’s a limited fifth-year UDFA on a one-year contract with a $1.25 million cap hit for the season, on a team in the beginnings of a rebuild. There’s no better than 50-50 odds he would be with the team next year if the Giants don’t trade him, so why not get something for him now?

Even a late-round selection — something Cincinnati will have plenty of to offer in a trade — would be a better investment for them than holding onto him for what could just be another half-season. On the flip-side, for a Cincinnati team fighting for the playoffs that price is well worth it even if Wynn leaves in the offseason.

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