Kerry Rhodes on his way to Cincinnati?

The Bengals have made a couple moves recently that point to a player being added in the next two weeks before the opening of training camp. The team released defensive end Jamaal Anderson last week and his salary for over $2 million is now of the books. The Bengals also released Robert Sands during the offseason workouts, pointing to a possible opening at the safety spot. Sands was a fifth rounder back in 2011 and the team had high hopes for the rangy, athletic safety out of West Virginia, but he couldn't put it together to earn snaps due to injury and inconsistency.

There was a report last week that veteran Kerry Rhodes is considering four teams to play for in 2013. A decision could be reached in the next week, and another article by Fox Sports Ohio said Rhodes could be considering the Browns and Bengals. Rhodes was with the Cardinals last season, and he became the best defensive player in that secondary with the exception of Patrick Peterson. Rhodes started fifteen games and had four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and sixty-seven tackles.

A ballhawking safety like Rhodes is what the Bengals have been missing on the back end of their defense for quite some time. Madieu Williams and Reggie Nelson have been able to take the ball away from opposing offenses in the recent past, but a duo like Rhodes and Nelson could make for a feared secondary. Rhodes visited Cincinnati in April and it makes sense that the Bengals didn't sign him then in order to let the draft and free agent market play out.

The team ended up drafting Shawn Williams in the third round, but a year to pick up pass coverage tips from Rhodes could do the rookie a lot of good. Chris Crocker did an admirable job coming in after the start of the season and winning the starting job, but it is time for the Bengals to move on to a younger option. Rhodes was rated as the fourth best safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus, and although the website can't completely be relied upon to rank players, it shows that Rhodes was one of the bright spots on an average defense.

Rhodes was also a leader on the Jets' dominant defense in 2009. He has ties to the area after attending school and playing collegiately at the University of Louisville. Mike Zimmer likes smart veterans to pair with young players learning the rigors of the NFL game. The Bengals are likely to start a second year corner in Dre Kirkpatrick, so surrounding the rest of the secondary with vets like Leon Hall, Reggie Nelson, and Rhodes is always safe. Look for an announcement soon from Rhodes and don't be surprised if he chooses to play for the Bengals in 2013 on a one year contract.