CINCINNATI -- Carl Lawson represents one of the most interesting paradoxes in NFL free agency.
If he hits the open market, Lawson, 25, will be one of the top available edge rushers following a strong season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet the Bengals finished 2020 with a paltry 17 sacks, the lowest total in the NFL.
With Lawson, sacks don't tell the whole story. The tape and the analytics explain why Lawson will be an appealing target should the Bengals not use the franchise tag on him -- and how an improved Cincinnati defense could lead to more sacks in 2021.