Jabaal Sheard: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By James Dudko
Jabaal Sheard’s five best fits in 2017 NFL Free Agency, including Super Bowl LI runners-up the Atlanta Falcons.
Jabaal Sheard is in the same situation he was two years ago. Just like in 2015, when the New England Patriots plucked him off the market, Sheard represents one of the true steals in 2017 NFL Free Agency.
If a team can convince the 27-year-old not to return to the Super Bowl LI champions, they’ll be getting a highly skilled and versatile pass-rusher, comfortable along multiple fronts.
Of all the possible fits for Sheard, five stand out, including the team the Pats beat in the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons.
Read on for the full list of teams who would be excellent fits for Sheard:
5. Cincinnati Bengals
For years, the Cincinnati Bengals boasted strong defenses built on pressure from the front four. But the formula deserted Cincy somewhat in 2016.
Head coach Marvin Lewis’ unit logged just 33 sacks, per the league’s official site, with the D-line accounting for 28.5 of those. The number is respectable, but there’s room for improvement, the kind of improvement Sheard would bring to the Queen City.
Cincinnati has two linemen ticketed for free agency, Margus Hunt and Wallace Gilberry. The latter is a valuable member of the rotation, as a player who can create pressure from end or tackle.
Fortunately, Sheard can do the same after two seasons spent lining up everywhere for the Patriots. He was often a game-wrecker any time the Pats moved him inside to play 3-technique tackle.
Sheard is the exact type of flexible pressure specialist the Bengals have built their defenses around throughout Lewis’ lengthy tenure.