BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals Bring in Monster Defensive Playmaker in 2024 NFL Draft – NFL Insider
As the NFL Draft approaches, the Cincinnati Bengals face an interesting situation. Over the past four drafts, they have focused on acquiring top talent for high-profile positions. However, they now find themselves in a peculiar position. Despite having one of the league’s top quarterbacks and an abundance of playmakers on offense and defense, they have overlooked the more physical and hardworking positions on the field.
Cincinnati Bengals Expected to Go After Key Defender
In the previous season, the Cincinnati Bengals struggled significantly in defending against the rushing attack, ranking 31st in the NFL. While some may argue that facing tough divisional opponents like Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh contributed to these numbers, it is crucial for the Bengals to be able to stop the run against these teams. Additionally, the loss of D.J. Reader during free agency to the Detroit Lions further weakened their run defense. Reader was their top run defender, and losing him was a significant blow.
To address this issue, the Bengals signed Sheldon Rankins, a former 3-technique defender from the Texans, as a replacement for Reader. However, at 305 pounds, Rankins may not have the size required to effectively play the nose tackle position. With limited options available in free agency, the Bengals will likely have to turn to the draft to find a suitable alternative.
ESPN NFL Insider Mel Kiper Jr. recently released a mock draft suggesting that the Bengals might select Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. Murphy had an impressive season for the Longhorns, recording 33 quarterback pressures. Kiper believes Murphy to be the best 3-technique available in the draft. While this would typically be an exciting prospect, the Bengals already have two defensive tackles on their roster, Rankins and B.J. Hill, whose salaries exceed $10 million. Ironically, both Rankins and Hill are natural 3-techniques with notable weaknesses against the run. Murphy, while a talented player, fits a similar mold.
While having depth at the defensive tackle positions is important, having three expensive players competing for one roster spot on the defense seems inefficient. Resigning Reader instead of bringing in Rankins as an alternative 3-technique would have been a wiser use of resources. Murphy would have been a great addition to the defensive front, but the team’s priority should have been retaining Reader.
