As stated previously in the piece I did on the front seven of the team, the Bengals will unequivocally be one of the premier offensive teams in the sport next season, even if Burrow does not stay healthy. But the defense has cost them in recent memory, as this defense heads into year 2 with defensive coordinator Al Golden no longer being a rookie in the role, it will be interesting to see how things play out. I did a full assessment of the front seven of the team heading into 2026, now I will analyze the secondary of the team heading into next year.
At the first of the two primary starting cornerback spots is former first round pick Daxton Hill. Hill has looked good in the NFL thus far but has yet to truly come into his own and live up to his first-round pick potential. Hill did not see the field much as a rookie and struggled even in his limited time on the field as you would expect a rookie to do so. Hill’s essential rookie season was his year 2 in 2023 where he ranked among the lowest graded cornerbacks in the NFL playing extended starter snaps. Hill again struggled to see the field much in year 3 but played well in limited action, ranking above average among players at his position. In Hill’s second season playing starter snaps in 2025, which is when you can truly start to see how good a player is, Hill was above average in 2025. Hill was good but not great in 2025 but I still think Hill has star potential. 2025 was defensive coordinator Al Golden’s first full season as an NFL defensive coordinator and most of the Bengals players underperformed as a result. As Golden goes into year 2 in the role, Hill will be in line to go from a good to a great player and live up to his first-round draft billing.
A similar narrative exists for former third-round pick Jordan Battle. Battle was drafted highly and in his rookie season he played at an elite level, ranking in the top ten in terms of a defense grade among players at his position, despite being a rookie, a remarkable feat. However, Battle struggled with injuries in year 2 and his play noticeably dipped ranking among the lowest graded safeties in the sport. In year 3 in 2025, Battle took starter snaps for the first time and graded in the below average range. However, like Hill and many other Bengals in 2025, Battle’s play was comprised primarily due to rookie defensive coordinator Al Golden adjusting to his role. Battle was drafted highly for a reason and has shown star potential, as he heads into year 2 as a starter under defensive coordinator Al Golden, perhaps he could become a very strong starter at safety.
At the other safety spot, former second round pick Bryan Cook is set to start for the Bengals and has shown a ton of promise in the NFL. Cook did not take starter snaps in years 1 and 2 and was consistently a slightly below average player. 2024 was his first season taking starter snaps and also graded in the slightly below average range. However, in his second season taking starter snaps in 2025, Cook looked elite and started to live up to his high draft billing, as Cook graded fourth among all qualified safeties in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Cook is in line to emerge as one of the best overall safeties in the sport going forward.
Former second round pick DJ Turner II is set to start at the other primary cornerback spot and is a strong option for the Bengals. Turner II struggled as a rookie in 2023 but graded above average in 2024 although playing in roughly 50% of the team’s total defensive snaps. In Turner II’s first season outside of his rookie year playing starter snaps, Turner II graded in the well above average range, in the top 15% among qualified players at his position in terms of an overall defense grade. As Turner II heads into year 2 under defensive coordinator Al Golden, he will be in line to be a star at cornerback for Cincinnati.
Former undrafted free agent Jalen Davis is set to start at the nickelback spot in the Bengals’ secondary and is the current weak link in their starting unit although having some talent. Davis before the 2025 season never logged more than 73 snaps in a season and was consistently below average if not poor at times although being above average if not borderline elite at times. In his first season playing extended snaps which was in 2025 logging 270, he graded in the above average range. Davis has talent and could become a solid player at the nickelback spot for the Bengals as he heads into year under defensive coordinator Al Golden. However, Davis is very unproven/inconsistent and could transition to a reserve role with the Bengals as a result.
From a depth standpoint in the secondary the Bengals have some notable names that could provide the team with some solid depth and/or transition to a starting role. Cornerback DJ Ivery in limited snaps has shown a borderline elite ceiling although being inconsistent. Safety Kyle Dugger is a former second round pick who has also shown an elite ceiling, but who is very inconsistent. 2024 undrafted free agent safety PJ Jules has looked borderline elite albeit in just 8 career snaps. A similar narrative can be written for 2025 undrafted free agent Bralyn Lux who has looked borderline elite in just 19 career snaps. The Bengals also drafted rookie Tacario Davis in the third round in 2026 who was among the better defensive back prospects entering the draft. Below you can find a breakdown of the Bengals’ secondary talent with me assigning grades and footnotes.
Starters
LCB – Daxton Hill – B, former first round pick, yet to have a chance to flourish
SS – Jordan Battle – C+ to B-, 3rd rd. pick who has shown star potential, could break out
FS – Bryan Cook – B-, 2nd rd. pick, superstar potential, elite season in 2025, unproven
RCB – DJ Turner II – B+, 2nd rd. pick, star potential, still unproven
NB – Jalen Davis – C+, strong player at times, very inconsistent
Noteworthy Reserves
CB – D.J Ivey – B in very limited snaps, has shown elite ceiling but far too inconsistent
S – Kyle Dugger – C+ to B-, former 2nd round pick, elite ceiling, very inconsistent
S – PJ Jules – borderline elite in 8 career snaps as undrafted free agent
CB – Brayln Lux – borderline elite in 19 career snaps as undrafted free agent
CB – Tacario Davis – 2026 third round pick
Like the front seven of the team, the raw talent that the Bengals have in their secondary ranks up there with any team in the sport. It is just a matter if the young/unproven/inconsistent players can come into their own heading into year 2 with Al Golden as the defensive coordinator of the team.
