5 Free Agents from Rams-Bengals Lions Should Target
All eyes will be on the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams when they square off in Super Bowl 56 this Sunday.
While watching the game, the Detroit Lions will get an up-close look at some of the best talent in the entire league.
It would behoove them to keep a close eye on these five players who are set to be unrestricted free agents this offseason.
L.A. Rams WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham has experienced quite the resurgence since being picked up by the Rams in early November. He's increasingly become a focal part in Los Angeles' offense and has grown into one of Matthew Stafford's most reliable targets.
The big-play wideout would be a perfect complement to Lions slot receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. And, as I mentioned in a previous piece, if I were Detroit general manager Brad Holmes, Beckham would be a target of mine this offseason.
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Cincinnati Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah
Uzomah, who experienced a career-best regular season in 2021, would form a formidable one-two punch at tight end with Detroit's T.J. Hockenson.
The 29-year-old has also put together a nice postseason, with two games of at least six catches and 60-plus yards. Additionally, he amassed a touchdown reception in the Bengals' wild card round victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
He's likely earned himself a hefty payday in the offseason. But, if I were the Lions, I'd still put in a call to his agent to see if a deal can be hammered out.
Rams OLB Von Miller
I'd very shocked if Miller, who will be 33 come March 26, would like to play his final NFL seasons in Detroit.
However, in this pipedream scenario, Miller would provide a major boost to the Lions' pass-rushing unit.
Sure, Miller's not an every-down player and is basically just a pass-rush specialist at this juncture in his career. However, he's still a very good one and could mentor Detroit's younger pass rushers.
Once again, I understand it's not likely that Miller lands in Motown, but it still wouldn't hurt to put in a call to his agent to see what the eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro is looking for in a free-agent deal.
Bengals S Jessie Bates III
Bates would be a nice acquisition for a Detroit secondary that could be losing its top safety to free agency this offseason, Tracy Walker.
Bates, who had a productive 2021 regular season and has had an equally productive postseason, would be a great replacement for Walker or complement to him a season from now.
The Wake Forest product will be just 25 years old throughout the entirety of the 2022 campaign, and is clearly in the prime of his career.
He might prove to be pricey, but he'd be a heck of an acquisition by Holmes & Co. this offseason.
Rams RB Sony Michel
Running back is not a huge need for the Lions this offseason, with their two leading rushers from this past season returning, D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
However, Swift is already known for being injury prone, and both he and Williams failed to suit up for the entirety of the 2021 campaign.
So, it wouldn't hurt to add some depth at the position via free agency, even with youngsters Jermar Jefferson and Craig Reynolds also set to be back in Detroit's backfield in 2022.
Enter Michel, who averaged 4.1 yards a carry in 17 regular season games this past season. He's also averaged 4.2 yards per carry in four NFL seasons.
Adding the former New England Patriots back wouldn't be a top priority on my offseason list, but he'd still be a nice addition to the Lions' running backs room.
