Although the Cincinnati Bengals wisely invested in their defensive line and secondary during the first wave of free agency, they curiously left their linebacker corps intact.
Well, maybe it's not such a curious phenomenon. Cincinnati's presumptive, prevailing internal belief is that either Demetrius Knight Jr. or Barrett Carter — or both! — will make a Year 2 leap as players heretofore unseen in NFL history.
Think about it: How often do two historically awful rookies metamorphose into strong starters in their second season? Can't think of any off the top of my head.