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Linebacker is a plan of attack for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason.
If said plan includes free agency, Nick Kwiatkoski is a name to know. Here’s a look at some details.
Other free-agent profiles: Derek Wolfe, Joe Schobert, Joe Thuney, Bryan Bulaga.
Background
Kwiatkoski is far from a household name. Now going on 27 in May, he’s a former fourth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2016 who played his college ball at West Virginia.
Notes
Injury opened the door to big playing time last year for Kwiatkoski. He got in on a career-high 48 percent of Chicago’s defense snaps, recording a career-high 76 tackles with another high in tackles for loss at eight — he missed 10 tackles (11.6 percent). He also added three sacks and allowed just 22 completions on 37 targets in coverage (59.5 percent). This helped him land on a 72.6 grade at Pro Football Focus.
Pros
Kwiatkoski is just hitting his prime and there’s a chance he’s just starting to reach his potential as a pro. If that’s the case and last year wasn’t a one-off, he’d make for a versatile weapon in Lou Anarumo’s multiple look. He’d also come pretty cheap compared to names like Corey Littleton and Joe Schobert. Pairing him with Germaine Pratt could open up draft picks and other free-agent money for elsewhere — and they could ultimately end up being the two starters the Bengals need for a long time. For whatever it’s worth, there’s also this nod of respect from one Aaron Rodgers:
Aaron Rodgers on Bears LB Nick Kwiatkoski:
“Well, 44, I’ve always thought he’s been a really solid player. I don’t want to butcher his last name. But he rocked me a couple years ago and I know where 44’s at most times when he’s in the game. I have a lot of respect for him."
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 15, 2019
Cons
While he played like a starter last year, there is always a chance Kwiatkoski’s play was a fluke. He got in on 512 snaps last year, but had just 111, 382 and 457 in the years prior. We’re talking grades of 56.1, 80.5 and 59.1 at PFF, respectively. Last year his play blossomed, but it probably should when surrounded by talent like Roquan Smith and Khalil Mack. If he flops when handed the keys to a starting role after getting starting money, he would be a setback for a team that can’t really afford one at linebacker, especially if they don’t draft further insurance. Perhaps more importantly, it might also impact how the team feels about bringing on outside free agents.
Verdict
This is one of those targets the Bengals could probably swoop in on while the rest of the market attacks bigger names. For that alone, Kwiatkoski is probably a good idea. It’s encouraging he had such an uptick in play last year and if he’s ready to digest Anarumo’s scheme, it could work out quite well on the field. And if it all falls apart, it won’t be a major ordeal financially compared to the market’s bigger names. Potentially rising 27-year-old linebackers aren’t often available but that just happens to fit exactly what the Bengals need and he’s a much better idea than past mistakes like say, Preston Brown. Kwiatkoski won’t have fans flooding to buy tickets at Paul Brown Stadium, but he’d project well next to Pratt — and the stadium-filling is Joe Burrow’s job.
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