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No one should count out the Bengals this year. This team made the AFC Championship two years in a row in 2021 and 2022, and just missed the playoffs last season mainly due to a significant amount of missed time from Joe Burrow. This team is loaded top to bottom, and will be a threat once again.
How far will a talented roster take this team in 2024? Let's see how my 9th-ranked team fares for this upcoming campaign.
Photo: Dylan Buell/GettyImages
Strengths
Strong Receiver Room
Deep Defensive Line
Middle Defenders
There's no question that when healthy, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the best WR duo in the NFL. They compliment each other perfectly, and Burrow knows exactly how to get the most out of them. Despite losing Tyler Boyd, the WR3 spot should be just as effective as they can lean on any one of Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, or rookie Jermaine Burton to elevate this passing attack.
Both edge and interior defender units are loaded on this front. Trey Hendrickson continues to be one of the most underrated defenders in the league, and Sam Hubbard is the perfect edge to play opposite him. Backing them up are athletic freaks in Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai, as well as rookie Cedric Johnson. As for the big dawgs inside, they could start any two of BJ Hill, Sheldon Rankins, or rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. Kris was my IDL2 in this class, and should make a case to start right away.
The starting LBs and safeties on this defense are as solid as they come. Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt are a solid LB duo, and Akeem Davis-Gaither can give them relief whenever necessary. They also have a trio of safeties who play specific roles at a high level. Geno Stone will be their true free safety - a position he excelled at in Baltimore a season ago, Jordan Battle will be their box safety in 1-high looks where he thrived as a rookie with an 81.3 run defense grade and 76.4 coverage grade, and Vonn Bell will be their run support DB who can play over the top or in the box, as he posted 86 stops + TFLs from his last Bengals stint between 2020 and 2022.
Weaknesses
Offensive Line
Shaky Secondary
Joe Burrow's Health
It's no secret the Bengals OL has struggled for years regardless of who they play along it. In 2023, they ranked in the bottom 12 in both run blocking and pass blocking per PFF, and the advanced metrics don't look good either. Of QBs with 100+ pressured dropbacks, this OL was responsible for 94.4% of all pressures when Joe Burrow was commanding the offense. This ranked as the worst OL in the league, and the tape shows it as well.
Despite a good safety group, I'm not totally sold on this secondary. Dax Hill has been disappointing early in his career, but has done fairly well playing out of the slot. To his dismay, Mike Hilton has solidified himself as the starting nickel in this defense, but he is on the tail-end of his career. Outside of those two, DJ Turner II was drafted based on extreme athletic traits, and his lack of ball skills showed in his rookie year. He allowed 17.5 yards per reception and 4 TDs, to the tune of only 6 pass breakups and 2 dropped INTs. He also allowed 293 yards after catch, which was the second highest mark on the team. They also added rookie Josh Newton out of TCU, who was one of my lowest rated corners in this class.
Joe Burrow has officially earned the "injury prone" label. He's missed considerable time early in his career, as he's sustained multiple knee injuries - including a major one where he tore his ACL, MCL, PCL, and Meniscus, and he's endured a few different throwing hand injuries as well. When healthy, he's a top 5 QB in the league, but that only goes so far if he can't stay on the field.
Key Additions
Kris Jenkins Jr - Interior Defensive Lineman
Jermaine Burton - Wide Receiver
Geno Stone - Safety
Much like Mike Hall Jr, who I covered in my Browns Breakdown, Kris could've been a first rounder in my eyes and I'd have no issue with it. He's an advanced run stuffer who has great lateral mobility. He also showed flashes in pass rush when he wasn't being sent on stunts, which lowered his draft stock based on his overall true pass rush volume. His hand-fighting is the best part of his game, and a much welcome addition to this Bengals DL.
Ja'Marr Chase is a great WR1, but he can't be the only weapon used to stretch the offense vertically. Jermaine brings not only that, but also nuance as a route runner that isn't common on guys with his profile. He showed great flashes on in-breaking routes, and that'll be utilized heavily within this offense. Add in his high level concentration on off-structure catches, and he'll make a case to be the WR2 on this team if Tee Higgins is gone after this season.
Geno was a fundamentally great addition to this secondary. He'll be used heavily over the top in this defense, where he posted an 84.9 coverage grade in 2023. He's improved his coverage every year, and this season was his peak with 7 INTs and just 7.38 yards allowed per reception. The Bengals had the top taken off them more often than not last season, so Geno's impact will be felt throughout the entire defense.
Dark Horse
Cam Taylor-Britt - Cornerback
Cam is the heart and soul of this secondary. He was sticky in man coverage, as he allowed just 4 receptions across 124 man snaps. He also added a 20% forced incompletion rate, and he allowed a 27.9 passer rating, the 4th lowest among corners with 100+ man coverage snaps. Overall, he added 4 INTs and 5 pass breakups to the tune of a 70.3 coverage grade. He's improving steadily, and is primed for a breakout year in 2024.
Photo: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press
Record
10-7
The Bengals were gifted with a favorable start to their schedule, as they play the Patriots, Commanders, Panthers, and Giants in four of their first six matchups. They also have a promising finish, as they play the Titans and Broncos in two of their final four contests. If they can win those six games, split their six division matchups, and add a win somewhere against the Raiders, Chargers, or Cowboys - all winnable matchups based on my rankings, they should easily get to 10 wins this year. I do think Burrow will have a tough time readjusting after his hand injury last season, but he'll work himself out towards the end of the year and lead this team to the playoffs.
Final Notes
The Bengals are just a season removed from being an AFC Championship threat. They've had some roster turnover since their last appearance, but they're still in good shape for handle just about any team in the AFC - and NFL for that matter.
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