3 trade destinations for Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap
The Cincinnati Bengals have acknowledged Carlos Dunlap is on his way out, and these 3 teams should be making trade offers.
Carlos Dunlap has been vocal about his displeasure with the Cincinnati Bengals, all the way to posting the defensive end depth chart and soliciting offers for his house on social media. Now, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bengals have told Dunlap to say home while they work out his future.
Dunlap has spent his entire career with the Bengals, and he’s one sack shy of the franchise’s all-time lead with 82.5 sacks (nine in 2019). But his role has been progressively reduced this year, all the way to a season-low 12 snaps in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns. In the last three games, he has played a total of 69 snaps after playing 75 snaps (with nine tackles) in Week 3. According to Rapoport, Dunlap was seen arguing with assistant coaches on the sideline during that Week 7 game.
The Bengals could just cut Dunlap and be done with it. But the premium on good pass rushers, which he surely still is, makes trying to trade him for practically anything a better move. Dunlap is set to get his wish for a change of scenery.
These three teams should be preparing their trade offers now
3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are 3-3, with very good wins over the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, and they’re in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Last season’s fade, from 6-4 to 7-9 , may lead to moves to bolster the roster before next Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Raiders have seven sacks as a team this season, tied for second-fewest in the league. It’s not been an issue of generating initial pressure per se, as they’re top-10 in the league in hurry rate (10.9 percent; according to Pro Football Reference). But looking further, they are bottom half of the league in quarterback knockdown rate and pressure rate.
Dunlap would fit nicely on a defensive front that needs reinforcements. Playing time would not be an issue, and it’s worth noting Raiders’ defensive coordinator Paul Guenther was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator from 2014-2017.