ROSTER LACUNA

The Bengals defense struggled with inconsistency this season and one of the big reasons was the difficulty they had stopping the run. Since DJ Reader’s arrival in Cincinnati, he has anchored this unit, but even he struggled in 2023 before his season-ending injury.

They also struggled to generate an interior pass rush. BJ Hill had 4.5 sacks, and Reader had only one. The only way they generated much push on this inside was by using substitution packages with more defensive ends on the field.

Hill continues to be a clutch player who seems to have a knack for making a play at the biggest moments in a game and even had two interceptions this season. The team was hoping Zach Carter would step up in his second season in the league, but he has yet to find his footing on the interior defensive line.

The Bengals are still suffering from the loss of Larry Ogunjobi, and their most pressing need is a pass-rushing 3-technique that can share time with Hill.

Sadly, as Reader entered injured reserve at the end of the season and gets closer to free agency, their issues have only gotten worse.

When you combine it all, you have a defensive line that is largely questionable on the inside and BJ Hill. This issue needs to be resolved, especially because they are trailed by a young, growing secondary.

Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson can be extremely effective on the edge, but it will be for nothing if the quarterback can make a play in the pocket.

The Bengals need to show a serious commitment to strengthening this unit, either through free agency or the draft, even though they might not be prepared to give Chris Jones the money he deserves. Both Christian Wilkins and Justin Madubuike are expensive, but both would be wise additions.

T’Vondre Sweat and Byron Murphy of the Longhorns, as well as Illinois’ Jer’Zhan Newton, should be discussed in the first round until they put themselves in a difficult situation at right tackle.

The Bengals will be smitten with Florida State’s Braden Fiske, Texas A&M’s McKinnley Jackson, and Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. on the second day of the draft. Each of the three fits well.