[jwplayer Ms1vBFZx]
The Cincinnati Bengals made some big splashes in free agency this offseason.
Josh Bynes was a quieter addition though. Bynes wasn’t a big name on the market and over the past few years he’d bounced around three different teams, most recently Baltimore.
Feel free to tack on the fact Bynes only played on 40 percent of Baltimore’s defensive snaps last year.
As if to push Bynes even further under the radar, the Bengals then drafted three linebackers and also added some intriguing undrafted free agents.
And now Bynes has a chance to really make the team look good if he can be wildly effective in his typical usage spots.
Pro Football Focus recently highlighted one such area:
Highest-graded linebackers in the red-zone in 2019
1. Bobby Wagner – 91.7
2. Josh Bynes – 90.4
3. Eric Kendricks – 89.1
4. Jaylon Smith – 88.3 pic.twitter.com/4rAActPb34— PFF (@PFF) June 22, 2020
We already know Bynes is assuming a leadership role as the veteran force for a very young depth chart. But if he can excel in his situational role on the field itself and help the unit improve, he’s going to register as an incredible value signing.
And if Bynes registers as one of the better low-key signings of free agency while big gets like D.J. Reader break out, the defense should have quite the quick rebound.
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