Although the Cincinnati Bengals are highly anticipated to be fierce rivals in the AFC in 2024, there are significant worries over certain troublesome position groups. With Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon gone, the defence is set for a significant change, while the offence will need to find a new identity.
After all, this defence was truly terrible the previous season, while the offence still boasts superstars like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.The largest gap on this defence will undoubtedly be at nose tackle, where ageing star D.J. Reader left to sign with the Detroit Lions during the most recent free-agency window. Over the previous few seasons, Reader was a defensive line colossus, and Cincinnati faced a dire situation without him—especially considering that the team also failed to hold onto backup nose tackle Josh Tupou.
Although the Cincinnati Bengals are highly anticipated to be fierce rivals in the AFC in 2024, there are significant worries over certain troublesome position groups. With Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon gone, the offence will need to find a new identity.
With Reader gone, it seems likely Cincinnati will switch from their regular 3-technique and nose tackle combo to a defensive front with two 2-technique defensive lineman. The team’s choice to sign star defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins of the Texans to a big contract this summer lends credence to that argument.
Rankins might have an influence, but the biggest news is that the team selected two defensive tackles, Kris Jenkins Jr. of the University of Michigan and McKinnley Jackson of Texas A&M, in the first four rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. Cincinnati has a history with college athletes in leadership roles, and Jenkins was a member of the Wolverines’ national championship team the previous year.
The defensive front will apparently rely on the two rookies significantly more than initially thought, which is the most noteworthy observation with two rookie defensive tackles and two seasoned defensive tackles, including Rankins and veteran starter B.J. Hill. Jackson, a former Aggie who weighs 325 pounds, is the only genuine nose tackle on this roster; the team is reportedly excited about Jenkins’ potential. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN NFL Insiders recently offered his analysis.
Despite Jenkins’ modest undersized frame, the team obviously believes that it will be worthwhile to give him experience right away so that he can establish himself as the long-term three-technique option. For a guy under 300 pounds, Jenkins does seem to have excellent strength, and he might be a true leader for this defence that is in dire need of one.
It is obvious that both Rankins and Hill should be on notice coming into the 2024 season, regardless of which rookie earns a starting position during training camp. Their jobs are becoming less and less safe by the day, especially with two talented rookies on the horizon.
