The Bengals if you read my previous article on the team before the NFL draft and also the 2025 Post Draft Offensive Outlook of the team, you could see that I felt they were a borderline elite offensive team whose defense really let them down this past season. The Bengals scored the sixth most points in the NFL this past regular season led by superstar QB Joe Burrow. However, the defense ranked bottom ten in the NFL in terms of points allowed and was perhaps the primary factor that led to their disappointing season. Headed into next season the offense projects to be elite once again led by Joe Burrow but the defense will be on the clock to up their ante and support the star QB. The team has replaced defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from this past season. Who although he was very capable as he has recently landed another NFL defensive coordinator position right after being terminated by the Bengals. The two parties had drifted apart and given the often poor Bengal defensive play this past season, a change was perhaps needed. The Bengals have since hired former University of Miami head coach Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator. Golden was most recently the defensive coordinator for the University of Notre Dame the past three seasons. Notre Dame’s defense under the tutelage of Golden has been a top 10 scoring defense in all of college football for the past two seasons in a row. Including being a top 5 scoring defense this past season in route to a national championship game appearance. He will have his work cut out for him with the Bengals headed into next season as Cincinnati was a well below average defensive team this past season by any stretch. The Bengals’ key defensive statistics/metrics for this past season can be found below.
2024 Bengals’ Key Defensive Statistics/Metrics
25th in points per game allowed
25th in yards per game allowed
21st in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above the Bengals left much to be desired from a defensive standpoint this past season. Although the coaching is to be brought into question, i.e. the team having fired their defensive coordinator along with questions being asked of head coach Zac Taylor although he has an offensive background. The personnel that the Bengals had on defense this past season was also a big question mark that led to much of the subpar output. I have conducted an analysis of the Bengals’ defensive personnel from the 2024 season and headed into the 2025 season as well. I have listed each player in each unit and have included the defense grade that the player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. In addition to that I have given each player my own subjective grade that indicates how strong of a player I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning below with the front seven of the team in the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season.
Bengals 2024 Front Seven
Interior Defensive Lineman
DL – B.J Hill – (25/146) defense grade in 2024 over 710 snaps, B+
DL – Kris Jenkins – (125/146) defense grade in 2024 over 496 snaps, D+ so far as ’24 2nd rd
DL – Sheldon Rankins – (85/146) defense grade in 2024 over 287 snaps, C+ to B-
DL – McKinnley Jackson – (97/146) defense grade in 2024 over 248 snaps, C so far as ’24 3rd rd
DL – Jay Tufele – (128/146) defense grade in 2024 over 242 snaps, C-
DL – Zach Carter – (120/146) defense grade in 2024 over 263 snaps, C-
DL – Lawrence Guy Sr – (105/146) defense grade in 2024 over 90 snaps, C
Edge Defenders
ED – Trey Hendrickson – (8/135) defense grade in 2024 over 823 snaps, B+ to A-
ED – Joseph Ossai – (95/135) defense grade in 2024 over 573 snaps, C
ED – Sam Hubbard – (92/135) defense grade in 2024 over 521 snaps, C to C+
ED – Myles Murphy – (99/135) defense grade in 2024 over 353 snaps, C so far as ’23 1st rd
ED – Cedric Johnson – (39/135) defense grade in 2024 over 83 snaps, B so far as ’24 6th rd
ED – K.J Henry – (99/135) defense grade in 2024 over 51 snaps, C
Linebackers
LB – Germaine Pratt – (61/92) defense grade in 2024 over 1075 snaps, C+
LB – Logan Wilson – (21/92) defense grade in 2024 over 743 snaps, C+
LB – Joe Bachie – (50/92) defense grade in 2024 over 36 snaps, C
LB – Shaka Heyward – (1/92) defense grade in 2024 over 12 snaps, only career snaps as ’23 UDFA
LB – Maema Njongmeta – (9/92) defense grade in 2024 over 31 snaps, only career snaps as ’24 UDFA
2024 Bengals’ Key Front Seven Statistics/Metrics
19th in rushing yards per game allowed
26th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
16th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
25th in sacks
As you can see from this last set of data the Bengals had one of the weaker if not one of the weakest front sevens in the league this past season. The primary issues that contributed to this was the youth of the front seven along with subpar personnel in key spots. On the interior of the defensive line B.J Hill led the unit but did not have too much support around him. Interior defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins is very inconsistent and past his prime and had a down year this past season as well although he does have a high ceiling. Continuing with the interior of the defensive front, Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson were drafted in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft but as rookies they were not in nearly peak form and both had below average years. B.J Hill is a high-level player and was very stout last season but is certainly not in the same class as the Chris Jones’ of the world as an elite interior defensive lineman either.
Off the edge, Trey Hendrickson led the unit and is among the better if not the best overall edge rushers in the NFL. But a similar story persisted for Hendrickson off the edge as it did for B.J Hill on the interior where he lacked support. Myles Murphy as a 2023 first round pick has yet to come into his own in the league as of yet grading as below average in his first two seasons in the NFL. 2024 6th rounder Cedric Johnson looked very strong in very limited snaps but was unable to see the field as much as a rookie. Outside of that the remaining Cincinnati edge rushers from this past season were just average to mediocre caliber NFL players. While Hendrickson although very talented, is not quite in the same class as T.J Watt, Micah Parsons, Maxx Crosby, and Aidan Hutchinson with regards to being discussed as the best overall edge defender in the league.
The linebacking unit had its mishaps as well as every single player in the unit I evaluated to be in the C+ range or weaker as an overall player. Logan Wilson is talented and graded as above average this past season as a former 3rd round pick. But thus far in his NFL career he has proven to be nothing more than just an average caliber player in his position. 2023 undrafted free agent linebacker Shaka Heyward graded 1st among all linebackers in terms of a defense grade in 2024, but that was in just 12 snaps which comprises the entirety of the snaps he has seen in his career as well. 2024 undrafted free agent Maema Njongmeta also looked borderline elite in very few career snaps as well.
With regards to the front seven in totality headed into next season the Bengals will need to see consistent improvement and consistently strong play from young players who were once high draft picks and/or have shown promise in limited time on the field. B.J Hill is among the better interior defensive lineman in the NFL but will need the aforementioned young players who were selected in the first three rounds to step up their game and support him on the defensive front. Off the edge, Trey Hendrickson is borderline elite at his position but will need the likes of a few young players to step up their game in support of him as well. A young player such as 2023 first round pick Myles Murphy who has underwhelmed in the NFL thus far, but who it is too soon to label as a bust. A young player such as 2025 first round pick Shemar Stewart. The edge defender position is one of concern as of now for the Bengals as both Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart are not participating in mandatory minicamp as a result of contract disputes. At the linebacker spot the team had pretty mediocre personnel across the board this past season, but similar logic applies to the unit potentially improving next season. They will need former 3rd round pick Logan Wilson who has shown he was worthy of being selected that high from time to time, but who has lacked consistency, to be on his A game. They will need 2025 2nd round pick linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr to play well. They will need the two aforementioned undrafted players who showed they were capable of high-level play, to consistently perform at a strong level for longer periods of time. They will need the two offseason additions at linebacker in Oren Burks and Joe Giles-Harris to pan out as well. I have listed the projected Bengals’ 2025 front seven personnel below, accounting for 2025 draft picks, players who have departed the team, along with free agent/trade additions that were made.
Projected Bengals 2025 Front Seven Personnel
Starters
LDE – Joseph Ossai – C
LDT – B.J Hill – B to B+
RDT – T.J Slaton – C+
RDE – Trey Hendrickson – B+ to A-
WLB – Demetrius Knight Jr – 2025 second round pick
MLB – Logan Wilson – C+ to B-
SLB – Oren Burks – B to B+
Reserves
ED – Shemar Stewart – 2025 first round pick
DL – McKinnley Jackson – C so far as 2024 3rd round pick
DL – Kris Jenkins – D so far as 2024 2nd round pick
ED – Myles Murphy – C so far as 2023 1st round pick
LB – Barrett Carter – 2025 4th round pick
LB – Maema Njongmeta – A- in very limited snaps as 2024 UDFA
LB – Shaka Heyward – A+ in very limited snaps as 2023 UDFA
ED – Cam Sample – C to C-
DL – Howard Cross III – UDFA 2025
DL – Eric Gregory – UDFA 2025
ED – Cedric Johnson – B to B+ in very limited snaps so far as 2024 6th rounder
LB – Joe Giles-Harris – B+ to A- in very limited snaps in the NFL as 2019 UDFA
ED – Isaiah Thomas – C
DL – Dante Barrett – UDFA 2025
ED – Raymond Johnson III – D-
LB – Craig Young – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
Headed into the 2025 season the front seven currently has multiple holes with regards to the starting lineup. Joseph Ossai, although a former third round pick in 2021, has not quite lived up to the billing being drafted that high and has not been more than just a mediocre NFL player thus far who is likely better suited in a reserve role. However, given his high draft standing not that long ago, and the fact that his play in the league thus far has still been respectable, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he take a big step forward next season and starts to live up to his high draft selection. B.J Hill was the bedrock of consistency for the Bengals’ interior defensive line this past season and projects to provide a lot of stability for it next season as well. T.J. Slaton was acquired this offseason from the Packers and has proven to be a solid NFL player in his career, although he is likely better suited as a backup. Trey Hendrickson is a standout in the starting front seven but is not reporting to the Bengals’ mandatory offseason workouts as of now due to a contract dispute. Demetrius Knight Jr was drafted very highly in the 2nd round of this year’s draft and is currently in line to start for the Bengals, but it remains to be seen how effective he will be as a rookie. Logan Wilson as a former third round pick has been hit and miss thus far in his career, but given his very strong play at times and his high draft status, he can certainly break out next season and be a consistently strong player up front for the Bengals. Oren Burks is a former third round pick in 2018 who was acquired from the Eagles this offseason. Burks struggled early in his career, but Burks for the last three seasons in a row has graded in the above average to well above average range among qualified players at his position including being graded in the top ten in two of those three instances. For the past three seasons, his very strong play has been in a smaller sample size of snaps, so it remains to be seen if he can produce at a similar level now being thrusted into a starting role.
The reserves of the Bengals’ front seven are very noteworthy as they have several young players with all the potential in the world. Players who could eventually transition into the starting lineup and/or from a worst-case scenario standpoint will provide the team with strong depth. Edge defender Shemar Stewart is a 2025 first round pick and being drafted so high, he has a ton of promise. But he as of now is not reporting to the Bengals’ mandatory minicamps due to a contract dispute and even if/when he does suit up, it remains to be seen how effective he will be as a rookie. Interior defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson had a respectable rookie season being drafted relatively high in the third round of the 2024 draft. He is in line to potentially improve upon his rookie year and emerge as a solid player for the Bengals up front. Similarly, Kris Jenkins was a 2024 2nd round pick who unfortunately had a very disappointing rookie season, but being drafted so high with rookie struggles always being understandable, he could also emerge as a very strong player for Cincinnati up front. Myles Murphy was a 2023 first round pick who has underwhelmed in his first two seasons in the NFL. However, given his incredibly high draft selection along with him still producing at a respectable rate in his first two seasons, he could also break out next season and start to live up to his potential. Maema Njongmeta, Shaka Heyward, Cedric Johnson, and Joe Giles-Harris were all drafted very late or were undrafted in recent memory, and all four of those players have played very well in very limited snaps in the NFL thus far. One or more of those players could certainly maintain their unexpected level of play and provide the Bengals with another strong option in their front seven.
Again, to wrap things up with regards to the Bengals’ front seven, B.J Hill and Trey Hendrickson are borderline elite players who were the bedrock of stability for Cincinnati defensively last season. The Bengals can continue to expect to get strong play from those two but outside of those two players the front seven is comprised of several players who have a ton of potential but who have not consistently shown it. The success that Cincinnatti sees from their front seven next year will be directly correlated to how well those unproven players with potential indeed play next season. The Bengals’ front seven underperformed this past season primarily due to it being too young and also due to the questionable coaching of now former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Now that the defense will be more seasoned and now that the Bengals have hired a new defensive coordinator along with Cincinnati making some notable personnel transactions. Perhaps the front seven can be very formidable next season and I think it will certainly improve noticeably from how it produced last season. I have conducted a similar evaluation of the Bengals’ secondary which can be found below as well.
2024 Cincinnati Bengals Secondary
Cornerbacks
CB – Cam Taylor-Britt – (68/128) defense grade in 2024 over 1036 snaps, C
CB – Mike Hilton – (14/128) defense grade in 2024 over 737 snaps, B+
CB – DJ Turner II – (49/128) defense grade in 2024 over 508 snaps, C+ to B-
CB – Josh Newton – (79/128) defense grade in 2024 over 504 snaps, C so far as ’24 5th rd
CB – Daxton Hill – (45/128) defense grade in 2024 over 262 snaps, C to C+
CB – Jalen Davis – (117/128) defense grade in 2024 over 49 snaps, C to C+
CB – Marco Wilson – (127/128) defense grade in 2024 over 242 snaps, D+ to C-
CB – D.J Ivey – (103/128) defense grade in 2024 over 59 snaps, C+
Safeties
S – Geno Stone – (89/104) defense grade in 2024 over 1100 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Vonn Bell – (64/104) defense grade in 2024 over 705 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Jordan Battle – (89/104) defense grade in 2024 over 464 snaps, C+ to B-
S – Daijahn Anthony – only 12 career snaps as 2024 7th rounder
S – Tycen Anderson – only 1 career snaps as 2022 5th rounder
Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Key Secondary Statistics/Metrics
20th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
21st in passing yards per game allowed according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above the Bengals struggled in the back end of their defense during the 2024 season. They ranked below average in both the key metrics I outlined and if you look at their personnel from this past season it left much to be desired. A similar trend of young players not being in peak form because of youth along with high draft picks underperforming was a trend in the Bengals’ secondary just as it was with the front seven of the team.
Cam Taylor-Britt led all corners on the team in snaps but graded as below average this past season. Taylor-Britt as a former 2nd round pick in 2022 has not lived up to expectations thus far in the league grading below average in every single season he has logged snaps in. Mike Hilton was 2nd on the team in snaps among corners during the 2024 season and although he was undrafted, he consistently grades in the above average to well above average range on a yearly basis including this past season. Hilton as of now is not currently on the team anymore, remaining an unsigned free agent. DJ Turner II logged the third most snaps among corners on the team this past season and played well. Turner II, who was a 2nd round pick in the 2023 draft, struggled as a rookie but played much better in the 2024 season. Josh Newton had a respectable first season as a 5th round pick in the 2024 draft. Daxton Hill, who was a first round pick in the 2022 draft, really struggled in his first two seasons in the NFL but turned things around this past season grading as above average among corners. Jalen Davis and DJ Ivey have shown they can play the position at a high level logging very high defense grades at times albeit in very limited snaps.
At the safety spot, Geno Stone led the team in snaps and throughout his time in the NFL he has shown a very high ceiling but has struggled with consistency. Stone, who was a 7th round pick in the 2020 draft, had a forgettable rookie season but the next two years he was really a standout. In the next two seasons Stone graded in the top third among all safeties in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Stone, however, regressed in the 2024 season grading in the well below average range among qualified safeties in the league. Vonn Bell logged the second most snaps at safety and also has shown a high ceiling although struggling with consistency. Bell in nine seasons in the NFL has graded in the above average to well above average range three times but has been in the below average range the remainder of the years. The same exact trend continues for safety Jordan Battle who was third among all safeties on the team in terms of snaps during the 2024 season. Battle was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and had an outstanding rookie season grading in the top ten among all qualified safeties in terms of a defense grade. However, in the 2024 season, Battle really regressed and graded in the well below average range among qualified safeties in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus.
The back end of the Bengals’ defense this past season was not bereft of talent but was comprised of players who were too young and/or had down years. The consistent trend of players across the defense underperforming relative to their usual outputs and talent levels, can certainly be attributed to the defensive coaching. Leading to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo being terminated after the season had ended. Headed into next season, the Bengals’ secondary can certainly take a big step forward as the young players continue to grow and as the Bengals on defense perhaps get better coaching from their new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Headed into the 2025 season, the Bengals’ secondary remains mostly the same outside of the departure of a few players. As stated previously, Mike Hilton, who was arguably the Bengals’ top corner this past season, is currently an unsigned free agent. Safety Vonn Bell, who was one of the team’s two primary safeties this past season, also remains an unsigned free agent. The improvements that the Bengals are hoping to see on the back end of their defense stems from the improvement of young high draft picks along with players who have shown a high ceiling but who have struggled with consistency coming into their own next season. Those improvements are both directly tied to new defensive coordinator Al Golden putting the Bengals in better spots to succeed than the Bengals were on defense last year. The young players in the back end who the Bengals are depending on to improve next season include the following. 2023 2nd round pick DJ Turner who struggled as a rookie but who really improved last season but who I imagine is not in peak form as of yet. Safety Jordan Battle who was a 3rd round pick in 2023 who had an outstanding rookie season but who regressed mightily in the 2024 campaign. Safety Geno Stone who in four seasons in the NFL has shown a very high ceiling but has been unable to consistently maintain it, including a down year this past season. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who was a first round pick in the 2022 season, but who every year in the league thus far has graded in the below average range but has still been respectable. Cornerback Daxton Hill, who was a 1st round pick in the 2022 season who struggled in his first two years in the league but who came into his own last year albeit in limited snaps. A concern for the Bengals on the backend of their defense is the depth of the unit as they have no reserve players who can be trusted to produce at a high level as of now. The Bengals should certainly look into resigning cornerback Mike Hilton and also safety Vonn Bell as the Bengals’ starting secondary lineup is talented but far too unreliable at this point. Unreliable from the standpoint of that every player slated to start for the Bengals’ backend next season is talented but struggles with consistency. Resigning at least one of the two aforementioned players, preferably Hilton, would alleviate some concerns with the starting lineup and also make the Bengals’ backend deeper as well.
In totality the Bengals had a talented defense last season and a very talented defense headed into next season. The struggles the Bengals saw on defense last season despite being talented stemmed from youth and subpar defensive coaching. Headed into next season the team has added even more talent but the youth and defensive coaching remains a concern. If many of the young players start to come into their own and if new defensive coordinator Al Golden is an upgrade over terminated 2024 defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Bengals could have a very good if not a great defense next season. Those are two big ifs however, and it will be very interesting to see how they perform defensively next season. But it feels as if the Bengals will certainly have their growing pains next year on defense due to youth on their defensive roster as well as youth in their defensive coaching staff.
