If the Cincinnati Bengals are serious about turning around a linebacker group that struggled mightily in 2025, they’ll need more than just internal development-they need reinforcements. And not just one.
Given the state of the unit last season, a triple-dip approach-two additions in free agency, one in the draft-might not be overkill. It might be necessary.
Let’s be clear: Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter had a rough go of it as rookies. Both flashed athleticism, but the consistency wasn’t there.
The Bengals were often gashed over the middle, and opposing quarterbacks had a field day targeting their zones in coverage. It was a learning curve, sure-but one that exposed just how thin the linebacker room was from top to bottom.
So who’s out there that could offer a low-risk, high-upside solution? Enter Devin White.
Yes, that Devin White-the former top-five pick out of LSU, Super Bowl champion, and one of the most physically gifted linebackers in the league. At 250 pounds with sideline-to-sideline speed, White is a rare blend of size and athleticism. And despite his pedigree and production, he could be available at a relative bargain this offseason.
White’s game isn’t without flaws. He’s been criticized for being overly aggressive, sometimes putting himself out of position in pursuit of the big play. But that narrative doesn’t tell the whole story.
Let’s start with the basics: White ranked third in the NFL last season with 95 solo tackles. That’s not just stat-padding-that’s consistent production. And when you dig deeper into the advanced numbers, there’s even more to like.
In coverage, White’s reputation has lagged behind his actual performance. In 2025, he allowed a passer rating of 92.5 when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus. Over the last three seasons combined, quarterbacks completed 123 of 163 passes against him for 1,075 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, and a passer rating of 88.9.
To put that in perspective, that’s in the same neighborhood as Justin Fields (89.5), Kyler Murray (88.6), and Kirk Cousins (84.8) from this past season. Not exactly lockdown numbers, but certainly serviceable-especially compared to what the Bengals got from their rookies.
Knight and Carter allowed passer ratings of 115.7 and 114.6, respectively. That’s a massive gap.
White also brings juice as a pass rusher-something Cincinnati could use more of from the second level. On 792 regular-season pass rush snaps, he’s posted a pressure rate of 21.7% and notched 25.5 sacks.
That’s elite production for an off-ball linebacker. His ability to blitz effectively and create havoc in the backfield adds a dimension the Bengals currently lack.
And while he’s not perfect against the run, White’s instincts and physicality still pop on tape. His 13% missed tackle rate is actually an improvement over both Knight and Carter, despite playing far more snaps and being involved in a higher volume of plays.
Let’s not forget the context of White’s 2025 season, either. He was playing for a Las Vegas Raiders team that was, frankly, a mess.
Pete Carroll’s one-year stint as head coach didn’t go as planned, and the defense was out of sync more often than not. Yet White still found ways to make an impact.
That speaks to his professionalism and resilience-qualities that would be welcome in Cincinnati’s locker room.
No one’s saying Devin White is a perfect player. He’s not Fred Warner or Roquan Smith.
But he doesn’t have to be. What he brings-experience, athleticism, production, and a championship pedigree-makes him a compelling fit for a Bengals team that’s looking to take the next step on defense.
And let’s not overlook the LSU connection. White played with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in Baton Rouge. That kind of familiarity and chemistry can go a long way in building culture and accountability.
If the Bengals want to stop spinning their wheels at linebacker, Devin White should be on their radar. He won’t break the bank, but he could help fix one of the team’s most glaring problems.