HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Vikings Waiting For 2022 Draft Class To Step Up

June 23rd, 2024 at 8:20pm CST by Ely Allen

2022 was the first draft in Minnesota for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. While there have been some success stories like fourth-round cornerback Akayleb Evans becoming a starter in Year 2 and fifth-round running back Ty Chandler serving as a decent RB2 in his sophomore campaign, the class has overall been a bit of a disappointment.

We already commented on Kevin Seifert of ESPN’s stance that former first-round safety Lewis Cine could be on the roster bubble, but Seifert didn’t stop there, claiming that the other three picks in the first three rounds could run into similar difficulties this offseason.

This statement expands to the later picks of the draft class, as well, though it obviously doesn’t pertain to Evans and Chandler. Worth mentioning, though, is former sixth-round offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, who was traded to the Patriots for a seventh-round pick and went on to start eight games in New England last year, and fifth-round pass rusher Esezi Otomewo, who was waived after a year with the team.

Of the remaining players in the class, LSU second-round offensive guard Ed Ingram has been the most impactful player. Ingram became an instant, full-time starter as a rookie and has only missed two games in his time with the team. That being said, head coach Kevin O’Connell seemed to indicate recently that both starting guard spots are being fought for in a three-way competition between Ingram, backup tackle Blake Brandel, and Dalton Risner.

The battle could be a result of underwhelming performance from the second-rounder. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Ingram graded out as the 57th-best guard in the league out of 77 graded players his rookie year. Though he improved to the 38th-ranked guard in 2023, his overall score that determines those rankings only rose from 57.0 to 59.5. For reference, the top players at the position graded out in the 80s. Ingram could certainly win one of the two available starting jobs over Brandel and Risner, but the fact that, going into his third year, Ingram’s in danger of losing his job as the incumbent starter points to relative disappointment.

Taken 17 picks before Ingram, former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth has also failed to play up to his second-round draft stock. Booth was already playing behind the starters, Evans and Byron Murphy, last year, but he is in danger of continuing to tumble down the depth chart as free agent addition Shaquill Griffin comes in with far more starting experience and fourth-round rookie Khyree Jackson could have more goodwill to win a roster spot in his first year with the team.

Third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah has likewise failed to crack the rotation in his first two years out of Oklahoma. He’s not likely to earn any starting time in 2024 as he’s been consistently working behind Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman so far this offseason. The free agent addition of veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill will likely take away any snaps as the primary backup at the position, as well.

Seventh-round pick Nick Muse was maybe not expected to do much as a late-round tight end, but he’s only been on the field for two offensive snaps in his career and missed all but two games last year. He may not see much room for improvement in 2024 as he’s been buried on a depth chart that now includes T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan, and Johnny Mundt.

Lastly, sixth-round receiver Jalen Nailor was also mentioned by Seifert but on a slightly more positive note. Seifert claims that the coaching staff really wants to see Nailor make an impact and possibly earn the WR3 role this offseason. That role was vacated as K.J. Osborn departed for New England in free agency, and the Vikings didn’t really do much to replace Osborn after he left. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the receiving corps, Nailor has an opportunity to step up into a crucial role.

Nailor’s early career has been hampered by injury. He missed seven games early in the season last year before sitting out the final four contests, as well. But coaches have pegged him as a “slippery target that defenders have trouble tracking” during his limited time in games and practice. While the coaches are hoping that he’ll force their hand, he’ll be competing with Brandon Powell, who was the fourth receiver on the team after coming over from the Rams last year, and Trent Sherfield, who has been an inconsistent contributor over his six years in the league.

So, Adofo-Mensah’s first draft did not produce the desired results in 2022, and while he did a little better by nailing Addison in the first round last year, the rest of the 2023 class has yet to make their impact. He’ll hope to continue hitting on first-rounders with quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner this year, and he’ll hope that late-round picks like Jackson and kicker Will Reichard show their impacts, as well. Entering a bit of a rebuild post–Kirk Cousins, the team’s success will depend partially on how well Adofo-Mensah can build the team moving forward.

5 Key Stories: 6/16/24 – 6/23/24

June 23rd, 2024 at 4:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The period between offseason programs ending and training camps beginning is in full swing. A number of notable developments and updates to ongoing contract situations have taken place around the NFL in recent days, though. In case you missed any of the top headlines from the past week, here is a quick recap:

  • Patriots Extend Stevenson: Signs pointed to an agreement being close between the Patriots and running back Rhamondre Stevenson shortly before an extension was indeed finalized. The 26-year-old is now attached to a four-year deal which will keep him in place through 2028. The pact has a base value of $36MM ($17MM of which is guaranteed), but incentives could push Stevenson’s earnings to $48MM. New England does not have a track record of making lucrative backfield commitments, but the new regime led by Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo authorized a deal carrying a $9MM annual average, the seventh-highest figure for running backs. Stevenson – who has amassed 3,047 scrimmage yards in his three-year career – will be counted on as a focal point of the Patriots’ offense for years to come.
  • 49ers, Aiyuk Not Close To Deal: Progress remains elusive with respect to efforts between the 49ers and wideout Brandon Aiyuk on extension talks. Team and player are at an impasse as things currently stand, with San Francisco not prepared to meet Aiyuk’s asking price. This offseason has seen the receiver market reach new heights, and to little surprise the 26-year-old has adjusted his financial target based on the new going rate for top pass-catchers. San Francisco has both Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel under contract for one more year, but keeping both in the fold in 2025 will be challenging. The team also has a Brock Purdy extension to budget for, leading to continued speculation about a receiver being dealt. Aiyuk skipped OTAs and minicamp, and his training camp participation will no doubt depend on his contract status.
  • Jets, Reddick Unlikely To Work Out Extension? Running counter to what the Jets expected, Haason Reddick was absent from the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this month. The offseason trade acquisition is angling for a new contract putting him closer to the top of the edge rush pecking order, but New York is not interested in making such a commitment. Approaching his age-30 season, Reddick wanted to remain in Philadelphia but an inability to work out an extension led to him being dealt to New York. He could elect to incur fines by avoiding training camp in July, or he could stage a ‘hold in’ and avoid participating. Optimism does exist, however, that an arrangement can be agreed upon by Reddick and his new employer before camp opens. Whether that consists of a new deal or incentives being added to his existing one will be interesting to see.
  • Broncos Hire David Shaw: After a successful run at Stanford, David Shaw was frequently connected to an opportunity to return to the sidelines in the NFL. He will indeed be back in the pro game in 2024, but his role with the Broncos will be in the front office. Shaw will handle player evaluation at both the NFL and college levels in Denver, a team which interviewed him for their head coaching position in 2022. That gig went to Sean Payton, but he and Shaw have remained close since their shared time as assistants on the 1997 Eagles. The latter neither confirmed nor denied having future NFL coaching aspirations, and he will focus his attention on his transition to new responsibilities with the Broncos.
  • Browns Aiming For Cooper Resolution: Another of the league’s ongoing receiver situations is that between the Browns and Amari Cooper. The five-time Pro Bowler is eyeing a new deal, and Cleveland hopes to work out an agreement ahead of training camp. Cooper has proven to be an integral member of the team’s passing attack, although the trade acquisition of Jerry Jeudy could cut into his target share moving forward. One year remains on the $20MM-per-year contract Cooper signed during his time with the Cowboys, a figure which now falls well short of the receiver market’s ceiling. At age 30, the former top-five pick will not reach the top of the pecking order on an extension but he could land a raise if the Browns agree to either a new deal or an incentive package covering 2024.

Giants, Titans In Contact With UFL’s Juwan Manigo

June 23rd, 2024 at 1:44pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of players who took part in the 2024 UFL season have already landed NFL deals. Return specialist Juwan Manigo could be the next to do so.

Manigo has received interest from the Giants, Mauricio Rodriguez and Mike Payton of A to Z Sports report. The 26-year-old exceled in Mexico’s LFA league for two seasons, winning MVP honors in both campaigns for his play as a receiver and returner. That was followed by a spell with the UFL’s Arlington Renegades in which his special teams skills were on full display. Manigo ranked third in the league in all-purpose yards, racking up 1,116 in 10 games.

The Giants have not shied away from spring league additions this offseason, inking Jacob Saylors last week. He will compete for a position in the backfield, whereas Manigo would be added as a contender to win the primary return role. The latter was not a factor on offense with the Renegades, so third phase contributions will no doubt be his path to an NFL roster. New York used Parris Campbell on kick returns in 2023, but he departed in free agency. Gunner Olszewski – the Giants’ primary punt returner from last year – re-signed in March.

Manigo has also been in contact with the Titans, Payton and colleague Sam Phalen add. Tennessee remains in search of a primary returner, and a number of options have received a look so far this offseason. That group includes former first-rounder Treylon Burks, whose special teams performances during the summer will play a role in his ability to hold onto a roster spot in Nashville.

At five-foot-seven, Manigo will certainly face size concerns if he manages to land an NFL deal ahead of training camp. Still, the league’s new kickoff rules are expected to add to the number of returns, and increased emphasis will be placed on the play in 2024. Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin is a recent example of an undersized player finding success after spending time in a spring league, and Manigo will look to join him in that regard. Both the Titans ($24.3MM) and Giants ($11.5MM) have the cap space to afford signing him in the near future.

Vikings LB Ivan Pace “Top Contender” To Serve As Defensive Signal-Caller

June 23rd, 2024 at 12:23pm CST by Rory Parks

The defensive signal-caller in a Brian Flores-coordinated defense is especially important to the success of the unit, given how much Flores likes to rotate most of his personnel. At present, second-year linebacker Ivan Pace appears to be the “top contender” to serve in that role for the Vikings in 2024, per ESPN.

That should not come as much of a surprise. Even as an undrafted rookie, Pace took over green dot responsibilities when veteran Jordan Hicks was forced to miss four games with a leg injury last season, and he played in 100% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps during that time. In all, he appeared in all 17 contests (11 starts) and racked up 102 total tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks and an interception.

Pace’s surface-level production is impressive enough for any rookie, but especially a UDFA. Those numbers were supported by a similarly strong showing in the advanced metrics world, as Pro Football Focus considered him the 16th-best linebacker out of 82 qualifiers and thought especially highly of his work in coverage. With Hicks having signed with the Browns in free agency, Pace seems like the most logical candidate to step in as the full-time signal-caller on defense.

That said, the Vikings did authorize a notable contract for linebacker Blake Cashman in March, and they also signed Kamu Grugier-Hill, who has 115 games and 42 starts on his resume. Those acquisitions were part of a defensive overhaul that saw the team part ways with star pass rusher Danielle Hunter while adding the likes of Cashman, Grugier-Hill, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward, and Jerry Tillery to the front seven. Minnesota also selected prized prospect Dallas Turner in the first round of April’s draft.

The ESPN report indicates that the team is considering Cashman and Grugier-Hill for the green dot role, but it would nonetheless seem that Pace, in light of his rookie-year performance and the fact that he handled those duties last season, would have a leg up.

Said head coach Kevin O’Connell, “[Pace] has had a very good spring, just with the type of communication [Flores] is putting on his plate.”

Pace himself said, “I know they brought in a couple linebackers that have more experience and stuff, but if they trust me enough to have the green dot, I’m ready for it.”

Undrafted free agents are signed to three-year contracts, as opposed to the four-year pacts that their drafted counterparts receive. As such, UDFAs become extension-eligible after accruing just two years of service time, so if Pace can build on his 2023 showing, he could be in line for a noteworthy pay raise next offseason.

LB Shaquille Leonard Hoping To Continue Playing Career

June 23rd, 2024 at 11:12am CST by Rory Parks

Things change quickly in the NFL. At the end of the 2021 season, linebacker Shaquille Leonard was at the peak of his game, having earned Pro Bowl and/or First-Team All-Pro acclaim in each of his first four seasons in the league. Several years later, it sounds like a real possibility that the decorated defender will not play another snap.

Last night, Leonard attended a fundraiser in Carmel, Indiana for his Maniac Foundation. The event was sponsored by the Colts, for whom Leonard starred for four years before back issues upended his career. Indianapolis, which had signed Leonard to a five-year, $99.25MM extension in August 2021, waived him in November 2023, and he finished out last season with the Eagles after he cleared waivers.

Speaking at his foundation’s event, Leonard said he wants to continue his playing career and is working to make that a reality, but he is also content if that does not happen.

“I’m moreso just sitting back, getting the body healthy, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, we’ll give it a try,” he said (via Kyle Smedley of the Indianapolis Star). “I just continue to be me by working hard. If it happens, it happens. If it don’t, it don’t. I think throughout my career I’ve had a great career, even if I do step away from it. … I’m enjoying life and just waiting on that opportunity.”

Although he ultimately played in 14 games (12 starts) in 2023 after seeing action in just three contests the year before, he was clearly not the same player that landed the record-setting extension. Before the Colts cut him, he had logged a 70% snap share, which was by far his lowest mark for a full campaign. He then appeared in just 47% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps over the club’s final five games of the season, which led to questions about his ability to regain his prior form.

In addition, Pro Football Focus assigned him a middling overall grade of 62.8 for his 2023 performance, which positioned him as the 53rd-best ‘backer out of 82 qualifiers. That was a far cry from his halcyon days of 2018-21, when he consistently graded out as a top-10 LB in the eyes of PFF’s metrics. He recorded 88 total tackles without a forced fumble or pass defensed, and he yielded a career-worst 123.8 quarterback rating in coverage.

Given his pedigree and age — he will turn 29 in July — it would not be surprising to see a team take a flier on him as the summer progresses (though there has been no reported interest in his services this offseason). A longtime friend said Leonard told him that he currently feels as healthy as he did in his rookie season, and according to the same friend, the father of one-month-old Darius Shaquille Leonard, Jr. would like to see the word “Senior” on the back of his NFL jersey. It remains to be seen if he will get that chance.

Latest On Dolphins RB De’Von Achane’s 2024 Role

June 23rd, 2024 at 9:48am CST by Rory Parks

The Dolphins signed accomplished wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason to serve as a complement to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and the team may also be getting increased WR reps from a somewhat unliklier in-house source. As David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel details, the ‘Fins appear to be making a concerted effort to get second-year running back De’Von Achane more looks as a wideout.

Given Achane’s remarkable rookie season in 2023, in which he accumulated 800 rushing yards on just 103 carries, it makes sense that Miami would want to get the Texas A&M product the ball as much as possible and in as many ways as possible. Head coach Mike McDaniel, who believes the “sophmore slump” is a real phenomenon, said, “a lot of times, if you have success as a rookie, you go one of two ways. You’re either starved for more or you can get kind of comfortable. … You get out what you put in, and I think [Achane is] aware of that because nobody wants to have the climax of their career be the first year.”

To that end, Achane himself said that one of his primary goals this offseason was to improve his route-running so he could get more burn in the passing game, and he spoke about his work as a receiver during the Dolphins’ spring practices.

“Just me lining up at different positions, as far as like receiver, running routes and stuff,” he said. “That’s something that we’re doing different this year, so that’s something that I’ve been doing in the offseason.”

To be clear, Achane did see a fair amount of action from receiver positions in 2023. Of the 323 offensive snaps that Pro Football Focus credited him with last season, 73 of them came in the slot and 33 came outside the numbers. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports breaks down those figures a bit further, noting that while Achane would still receive handoffs when lined up as a receiver, he was also targeted on 21 passes and caught 16 of them for 122 yards. He finished the season with 1.58 yards per route run, which is 0.6 yards more than the the league-wide average for RBs lining up somewhere other than the backfield.

It therefore stands to reason that Achane would want to continue honing his receiving abilities, especially since his size (5-9, 188) precludes him from being a bell-cow back. His explosiveness — his 7.8 yards-per-carry average is a Super Bowl-era record for any RB with at least 100 rushes — makes him a formidable weapon no matter how he gets the ball.

“He had outstanding ball production. … To find different ways to get people the ball, whether that’s different types of pass routes, whether that’s different types of run schemes that you can get comfortable with, all those things. More ways to be at the point of attack to play within this offense, that’s what this offseason really provides for him,” McDaniel said.

Achane’s other main goal this offseason was to get stronger to better withstand the physicality of the NFL. He spent time on IR last year with a knee injury, and creating opportunities for him in space on the other side of opposing defensive lines should increase his chances of remaining healthy while also allowing him and fellow RB Raheem Mostert, a dynamic back in his own right, to be on the field at the same time.

Latest On 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk

June 22nd, 2024 at 9:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

One of the predominant storylines around the NFL is the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Aiyuk. The ascending 49ers wideout has frequently been mentioned in trade speculation, and an extension agreement does not appear to be close.

Team and player are at an impasse with respect to contract talks at the moment, although Aiyuk and the 49ers are certainly not alone in that regard at the receiver position. Still, the 26-year-old’s most recent public remarks have led to a new round of questions regarding a potential trade out of San Francisco. Such a move is not on the team’s agenda based on GM John Lynch‘s stance, and reporting on the matter corroborates that.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on a recent Pat McAfee Show appearance that the 49ers’ preference is to keep Aiyuk in the fold (video link). The sticking point is of course the Arizona State product’s asking price. Schefter adds, to little surprise, the bridge between his camp and the team widened after the receiver market saw its latest surge. Deals like Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s Lions extension have been surpassed by Justin Jefferson‘s historic Vikings pact, but they are believed to represent the floor of a 49ers Aiyuk agreement. Indeed, while St. Brown landed $77MM in guaranteed money, a source tells Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal that Aiyuk is shooting for guarantees in the mid-to upper-$80MM range.

After Aiyuk skipped OTAs and minicamp, progress may not be made for several more weeks. Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area pointed (via colleague JP Finlay) to the period just before training camp as a potential timeline for an Aiyuk deal to be worked out. That would fall in line with previous San Francisco pacts, but regardless of when one were to be finalized in this case, the challenge of retaining the team’s full offensive core would remain. Fellow wideout Deebo Samuel has drawn trade interest this offseason, and with one year left on his pact the 28-year-old’s long-term future is in question. Falling in line with previous indications, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes a Samuel trade would be likelier than an Aiyuk one at this time.

The latter is under contract for this season on his $14.12MM fifth-year option, but a long-term commitment will cost much more. San Francisco needs to budget for a Brock Purdy mega-deal as early as next offseason, and the team prepared for a receiving corps without at least one of Samuel or Aiyuk by drafting Ricky Pearsall in the first round. Around the draft, the 49ers understandably received trade calls for both of their 1,000-yard wideouts, but Schefter’s report confirms talks never reached a serious point.

As a result, attention will remain on Aiyuk’s asking price and San Francisco’s willingness to reach it. Other receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase could ink extensions in the $30MM-per-year range, and the market’s continued growth could make an extension more expensive in the future than it would be now. With Aiyuk having adjusted his financial target once this offseason, it will be interesting to see if he attempts to wait for further receiver deals to be signed before re-engaging with the 49ers.

Trade Candidate: Bailey Zappe

June 22nd, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots completely revamped their QB depth chart this offseason, but there is still one holdover at the position. 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe is still kicking around at the bottom of New England’s roster, but it remains to be seen if the third-year pro will still be on the squad come September.

Zappe has had an uneven two years in New England, although the Western Kentucky product hasn’t looked completely helpless in his handful of starts. During his rookie season, he sparked a brief QB controversy after guiding New England’s woeful offense to a pair of victories. However, Zappe slid back down the depth chart when Mac Jones returned from injury, and the Patriots were expected to continue with that same hierarchy for the 2023 campaign.

Zappe ended up struggling under new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, leading to him being a surprise cut towards the end of the preseason. The second-year QB quickly landed on New England’s practice squad, and he was signed back to the active roster in early September. Still, the roster machinations proved that the Patriots were willing to let the player walk for nothing, and the apparent lack of interest from opposing squads proved their wasn’t a whole lot of league-wide intrigue in the signal-caller.

The backup QB managed to bounce back and (somewhat) rehabilitate his image during the 2023 campaign. With Jones and the Patriots offense continuing to struggle, Zappe ended up garnering six starts in New England. His numbers weren’t pretty (59.9 completion percentage, 2.8 touchdown percentage, 4.2 interception percentage), but he was notably under center for two of the team’s four wins. While nobody is confusing Zappe with a starting quarterback, the player at least proved that he wouldn’t compromise his team’s chances if inserted into the lineup.

With the Patriots navigating a post-Bill Belichick era this offseason, the organization decided to completely revamp their QB room. The team used the third-overall pick on Drake Maye, pairing the rookie with veteran acquisition (and old friend) Jacoby Brissett. The organization also used a sixth-round selection on Joe Milton III, a series of moves that seemed to push Zappe off the roster. Reports from earlier this offseason indicated that the Patriots wanted to resolve their QB jam as quickly as possibly, allowing the coaching staff to better evaluate their three sure-thing QBs. That could have led to a speedy cut for Zappe, but the QB is still sticking around the roster.

While the Patriots could claim that Zappe is competing with Milton for the QB3 role, there’s little chance the rebuilding squad will prefer the third-year player to the rookie. So, it seems more likely that the organization is holding on to Zappe until a QB-needy team comes knocking. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald indicated as much last month, noting that a Zappe trade remains a possibility for the organization. While teams didn’t show interest in Zappe last year, Callahan believes there could be a market for the player in the coming months, especially as teams face injuries during the preseason.

Callahan suggests that the Patriots could fetch a late-round pick in return for Zappe, or the front office could attach a pick to the QB for a better return. Considering the player’s track record, Zappe would probably be more appealing to teams that lose key backups vs. those that lose a starting QB. Of course, in order for the Patriots to avoid a staring match where a Zappe suitor simply awaits the player’s inevitable release, New England would require multiple trade partners to join the fray. Zappe’s most-recent deal with the Patriots keeps him under contract through the 2024 campaign on an easily-manageable $985K cap hit.

It seems like a foregone conclusion that Bailey Zappe won’t be sticking around New England for the 2024 campaign. However, it remains to be seen if the front office will be able to garner a return for the impending third-year QB.

S Lewis Cine On Vikings’ Roster Bubble?

June 22nd, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

Lewis Cine has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but this summer could prove to be a pivotal point in his young NFL career. The Vikings safety is buried on the depth chart ahead of next month’s training camp.

Minnesota pulled off a first-round swap with Detroit during the first round of the 2022 draft. Cine was selected with the No. 32 pick, and he faced high expectations after enjoying a successful tenure at Georgia. Ahead of his rookie season, however, it was clear he faced a steep path to a starting workload. Cine’s debut campaign was cut short by a leg fracture which required two surgeries.

The 2023 season saw the 24-year-old log only seven games and eight defensive snaps, and an uptick in usage does not appear likely at this point. As ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes, Cine found himself behind not only starters Harrison Smith and Camryn Bynum, but also backups Theo Jackson and Jay Ward on the depth chart this spring. Keeping in mind Josh Metellus‘ ability to wear many hats in the secondary, Cine faces plenty of competition for a roster spot. That is especially true given the team’s other moves in the secondary.

Minnesota signed Shaquill Griffin in free agency before adding Khyree Jackson in the fourth round of the draft. Those new cornerbacks will take up roster spots in addition to the aforementioned safeties, something which could leave Cine on the outside looking in during cutdowns. Training camp and the preseason will no doubt play a large role in how the team evaluates him.

As a former first-round pick, Cine’s base salaries for 2024 ($1.75MM) and ’25 ($2.27MM) are fully guaranteed. That could provide incentive for the Vikings to keep him in the fold, and a surprisingly involved and productive 2024 campaign could even give Minnesota reason to consider picking up his fifth-year option. Doing so would tie him to the team through 2026, but quite a bit would need to change over the coming weeks for Cine to receive any sustained looks on defense in the fall. His performances during camp will be worth monitoring.

Latest On Bengals’ Secondary

June 22nd, 2024 at 6:48pm CST by Adam La Rose

Breakdowns in the secondary played a key role in the Bengals missing the postseason in 2023, and the team has made a number of moves in that area in recent months. The safety spot has seen the arrival of one veteran (Geno Stone) along with a reunion with another (Vonn Bell).

The latter was in Cincinnati from 2020-22, serving as a full-time starter alongside Jessie Bates during that time. Bell departed last offseason by inking a three-year Panthers pact, although he only wound up playing a single campaign in Carolina. Bell and the Bengals reunited on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in March.

The 29-year-old is, to no surprise, in line to reprise a starting role in his second Cincinnati stint. Bell took first-team reps during offseason practices, as detailed by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic (subscription required). He and Stone occupying starter’s workloads would relegate Jordan Battle to a depth/special teams capacity. The 2023 third-rounder logged seven starts last season, but he was one of a number of Bengals defensive backs who struggled in coverage. The additions of Stone and Bell will provide the team with experienced options, although it will be interesting to see if Battle can compete for a full-time defensive gig in training camp.

Of course, one of the other main offseason developments the Bengals have seen is the transition of Dax Hill from safety to perimeter corner. The 2022 first-rounder was lauded for his positional versatility coming out of college, but things have not gone according to plan for him so far. Hill primarily played in the slot when he was used at corner with Michigan, making this summer an important time to acclimate to spending time on the outside.

If Hill manages to get comfortable with his new position, a starting role should await him in the fall. The 23-year-old worked with the first-team defense this spring, per the Dayton Daily News’ Laurel Pfahler. Hill and 2023 second-rounder DJ Turner could be competing for a starter’s spot during camp in a cornerback room which lost Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. Veteran slot man Mike Hilton and 21-game starter Cam Taylor-Britt are still in place from last season.

Cincinnati ranked 31st in the league in passing yards allowed last season, and the play of the team’s secondary will be worth watching closely in 2024. New faces at safety could provide needed stability on the backend while Hill’s success in playing at corner will no doubt go a long way in determining the team’s willingness to pick up his fifth-year option after the season ends. With three years remaining on their respective rookie deals , meanwhile, Battle and Turner will have plenty of time to regain first-team roles if they start the year in a rotational capacity.

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