DJ Reader one of five Bengals to crack CBS Sports' Top 100 players
Upon winning their second consecutive AFC North title, the Cincinnati Bengals had three players voted to the Pro Bowl last season. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase figure to be mainstays in the NFL's all-star voting ballots, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson emerged as a back-to-back honoree in his own right. Cincinnati's Pro […]
Upon winning their second consecutive AFC North title, the Cincinnati Bengals had three players voted to the Pro Bowl last season. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase figure to be mainstays in the NFL's all-star voting ballots, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson emerged as a back-to-back honoree in his own right.
Cincinnati's Pro Bowl trio are some of the best players in the game right now, so it's no surprise to see them land on CBS Sports' Top 100 NFL players, constructed by senior columnist Pete Prisco.
Two more Bengals also cracked the back half of the list in wide receiver Tee Higgins and nose tackle DJ Reader. The two Clemson alums are among the best at their positions, but Reader usually doesn't get the credit he so rightfully deserves.
Since coming back fully healthy from a calf injury that erased most of his 2020 season, Reader has fully established himself as one of the premier interior defenders in football for the Bengals. He's nearly impossible to move off the line from the 2i or 1-technique alignment, and his leverage is almost never outmatched at the point of attack.
Reader's prowess against the run has been his bread and butter for years, but 2022 saw him dig into his bag against the pass. Pro Football Focus graded him out at 84.1 as a pass rusher, with a win rate of 10.1%. Improving that dimension of his game made him an even tougher matchup for guards and centers alike.
He was limited to 10 regular-season games in 2022 because of injury, and his loss was felt when he was missing. He only had one sack, but he can push the pocket and he's good against the run. – CBS Sports' Pete Prisco
Despite winning more often when rushing the quarterback, his lack of sack totals kept him out of the All-Pro and Pro Bowl conversation over the last two years. It's hard enough to get proper recognition as a nose tackle. Doing so without many finishes at the QB is a very tall task.
There are quite a few great players on the Bengals' defense, and Reader is arguably the very best. That distinction alone should make an impression on pundits and analysts around the game. Prisco at least recognizes the center of Cincinnati's imposing defensive front.
Future of the Bengals could be decided in very short amount of time
Expect the domino effect to take place this Summer.
Featured image via © Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
