One guy fixes this defense

[SunsetBengal]

(10-31-2024, 09:22 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Just go look at the bears last year.  This was after the season.

The Bears defense has improved dramatically with Sweat's addition. They went from 28th to 20th in points allowed, 23rd to 12th in yards allowed and from 22nd to third in takeaways, per the Chicago Sun-Times. The Bears were 2-6 without Sweat, and they're 5-3 with him.

Outside of Sweat's individual production -- which includes a career-high 12.5 sacks, leading both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5), 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four pass breakups and 25 QB hits this season -- his presence has opened up opportunities for those around him.

Guys like defensive tackle Justin Jones, rookie defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and defensive end DeMarcus Walker have benefited from Sweat's addition, which has reinvigorated the defense.

"Just a big contributing factor," said cornerback Jaylon Johnson. "Him just coming in, bringing a different energy. Kind of indescribable. We didn’t necessarily know that we needed it until he came, and it’s like, 'Yeah, this is somebody that we needed.'"

That said, I don’t think the bengals make a change.

Sweat coming to the Bears was the final piece to their already strong supporting cast on the DL. The Bengals, on the other hand, already have an elite pass rushing DE in Trey Hendrickson. What they are lacking is that supporting cast, after BJ Hill the rest of the DL production looks pretty bleak. It's going to take some development from our rookies on the interior, they need a veteran NT to bridge the gap. At the other DE spot, Hubbard isn't what he used to be and Myles Murphy lost a lot of mobility when he added that body mass. I was looking for Cam Sample to take a big step forward, before the Achilles tear, now he'll be a UFA coming off of a debilitating injury and rehab. The Bengals should strongly consider looking for a younger established veteran DE to stuff the run and add some sack production to what Hendrickson does. 

(10-31-2024, 09:25 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: Go look at the ravens 2022.

Prior to the trade, the Ravens’ defense had allowed 22.9 points per game, 364.3 total yards per game, 4.4 yards per carry, and a 61.3 percent red zone touchdown rate.

After acquiring Smith, the Ravens’ defense allowed 14.7 points per game (second-best in the NFL), 288.8 total yards per game (third-best in the NFL), 3.5 yards per carry, and a 28.0 percent red zone touchdown rate.

Roquan Smith is that leader that the Ravens had been needing, no doubt. Would I trade Pratt for a monster presence and personality similar to Smith? You betcha! However, what would be equally impactful and likely a little cheaper in the long run would be to spend the money and bring in a top tier Safey. With adequate DL and Safety play, Wison and Pratt are more than adequate and sometimes even excel at their positions. I'd have no issues with the Bengals riding with Wilson and Pratt for moderate 3rd contracts, so long as they plug the money saved into NT and Safety.