Michael Johnson

A third-round pick of the Bengals in 2009, Johnson has missed just three games in his seven years with the team. The veteran defensive end was on the field for 77.9 percent of the teams defensive snaps and put up numbers to reflect that, recording 42 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and two passes defensed. Entering his eighth campaign, look for Johnson to again shore up the line on what has proven to be a formidable Bengals defense.

From the Bengals perspective, their experience with Johnson worked out perfectly. They couldn't afford his cap number on the open market, so when the Bucs swooped in with a five-year, $43.75 million offer last offseason, they let him go and accepted the compensatory draft pick. However, Johnson didn't work out for Tampa, tallying just 27 tackles and four sacks while missing multiple games due to a hand injury. Disappointed in their investment, the Buccaneers released Johnson this offseason, and the Bengals were able to welcome him back to the fold at a much friendlier salary cap deal of four years and $24 million. This season, he'll be part of a rotation in the Bengals' deep defensive end corps, sharing reps with Wallace Gilberry and Margus Hunt opposite Carlos Dunlap.

After recording a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2012, Johnson came back to earth last season, managing to reach only 3.5 in 15 games. However, he did rack up a career-high 56 tackles (35 solo) and he picked off one pass for the third consecutive year, while forcing two fumbles. He turned that production into five-year, $43.75 million contract with the Bucs that included $24 million guaranteed. With that kind of financial commitment, he'll be expected to put up big numbers will likely seeing a high snap count.

Johnson had a breakout season in 2012, recording 11.5 sacks. The Bengals have a lethal pass rush heading into 2013 with the combination of Johnson and Geno Atkins (12.5 sacks last season).

A third round pick in the 2009 draft, the Bengals are hoping he can bolster their pass rush.