Bengals second-round pick Carlos Dunlap began his rookie year slowly, being deactivated as a healthy scratch in four of the first five contests and managing just four solo tackles through Week Nine.
Finally cracking Cincinnatis defensive rotation in Week Ten, Dunlap ripped through offensive lines en route to 9.5 sacks in the final eight weeks. Despite not starting a single game, the former Florida Gator finished the season as the Bengals sack leader by a wide margin. Next closest was fellow rookie Geno Atkins, a defensive tackle, with 6.5 fewer sacks than Dunlap.
Had Dunlap received full-time snaps in 2010, he very well may have given Ndamukong Suh a run for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
ESPNs Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Dunlap has now signed with agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Agent switches often lead to contract restructuring requests, although Dunlap is just one season into a four-year, $3.01 million rookie deal. Hes due base salaries of $405,000 in 2011, $490,000 in 2012, and $575,000 in 2013.
Regardless, its a nice pickup for Rosenhaus Sports. If Dunlap has another big year, its not unreasonable to think the Bengals might be more amenable to a long-term commitment.
Dunlap is currently using the offseason to finish his degree at Florida.