Bengals' playoff loss shouldn't make fans ignore one player's meteoric rise
Cincinnati Bengals fans might've already forgotten about one particular detail about how rookie cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt arrived on the team. Not only was he drafted in the second round but the front office traded up to secure him. After a rocky start to his career due to injury, it's safe to say Taylor-Britt raised the […]
Cincinnati Bengals fans might've already forgotten about one particular detail about how rookie cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt arrived on the team.
Not only was he drafted in the second round but the front office traded up to secure him. After a rocky start to his career due to injury, it's safe to say Taylor-Britt raised the expectations set for him with elite coverage in the playoffs.
Taylor-Britt was targeted 14 times and allowed just three receptions in the postseason, allowing 33 yards in exchange for one interception and two additional PBUs. Those occurred against Josh Allen AND Patrick Mahomes, two of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.
Not only did the Bengals rookie cornerback post the lowest passer rating allowed among playoff cornerbacks (min. 46 snaps) but he also had PFF's fourth-highest defense and pass coverage grade among cornerbacks.
He shut down receivers like Stefon Diggs, even playing press against him.
He achieved all of that while being on the field the most, with a playoff NFL-high 198 total snaps.
Speaking of snap counts, Taylor-Britt is among the most impactful Bengals' rookies in recent memory. He played the most snaps by any defensive rookie since 2018.
Taylor-Britt even showed up as an improved run defender for the Bengals, making a huge third down stop against the Kansas City Chiefs and recording three stops per PFF.
While Joe Burrow's looming contract extension is already making some Bengals fans sweat, the team has done a good job drafting and is positioned to have a well-balanced roster for a significant period of time.
In other words, the Bengals aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
