Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson is one of several edge-rushers on the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns' as free agency approaches, according to a report Tuesday from Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
Cabot on the Browns' potential pursuit of Lawson:
With the Browns seeking to replace Olivier Vernon, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the season finale, they’ll target a pass-rusher who can deliver double-digit sacks, and there are plenty of candidates.
One of the most intriguing is Lawson, whom some thought the Bengals might franchise. The Bengals want to keep him, but might not be able to.
A fourth-round pick in 2017, Lawson earned the No. 9 pass-rush grade in the NFL by profootballfocus.com. He had only 5.5 sacks, but should come close to doubling that while playing opposite Myles Garrett.
Lawson's Twitter post after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use a franchise tag, with the Bengals opting not to use it:
The Enquirer's Tyler Dragon reported that Lawson and cornerback William Jackson III are expected to have multiple suitors on the open market as players on expiring contracts that the Bengals could have tagged.
More from Dragon about Lawson:
The Bengals drafted Lawson in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Lawson led the Bengals in sacks (5.5) and pressures (64) last season. His 32 quarterback hits ranked second in the NFL in 2020. The 6-foot-2 defensive end was Cincinnati’s only consistent pass rusher last year.
Lawson’s tallied 81 tackles, 20 sacks, 83 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles in 51 career games all with the Bengals.
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