Among the many unrestricted the Cincinnati Bengals have to worry about retaining, there’s one they know that’s already slipping out of their fingers. Emmanuel Lamur, the 26-year old linebacker, is going to play elsewhere, and probably for one of three: Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings or the Miami Dolphins.
Lamur is actually a converted safety, coming in from Kansas State as an undrafted rookie back in 2012. After getting very few snaps in 2012 through nine games and not playing at all in 2013, he became a much more important part of the defensive schemes in 2014, starting in 13 games and playing overall in 14, finishing with 97 sacks and two interceptions. He was more of an off-the-bench player last season including special teams, playing in all 16 games, finishing with 32 tackles, one forced fumble and three defended passes.
The 4-3 outside linebacker signed a one-year, $2.3 million deal with the Bengals last season, and will be hoping for a slight raise but mostly some multi year guarantees on his next deal. Considering how little cap room the Dolphins have to work with following their signing of Mario Williams, it’s more likely he ends up finding the kind of money he’s looking for with the Lions and Vikings, although acting fast is key for a low-profile player like him, before spots fill up and he ends up worrying teams might not have any need for him at all unless some injury comes up.
Overall, since 2012 he has played in 39 games (starting in 15), getting two interceptions and 140 tackles, while also picking up 0.5 a sack. His skills, despite his position, are better used in coverage than in rushing the passer, which means a 3-4 defense probably isn’t something he’ll do too well in.