Cincinnati Bengals show starting competition has another level during start of mandatory minicamp
Another name has thrown his hat into the ring to become the starting slot cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals. Keep an eye out for Bralyn Lux this summer.
The competition for the Cincinnati Bengals nickelback position is continuing into mandatory minicamp.
Ja’Sir Taylor was taking reps with the starting defense in the slot last week during OTAs. The start of minicamp Tuesday featured Bralyn Lux filling the spot.
Bralyn Lux adds a new flavor to the slot battle
While incumbent starter Jalen Davis and Taylor are NFL veterans, Lux has only played 19 career snaps in the regular season. He was an undrafted free agent signing by Cincinnati following the 2025 NFL Draft. He played in the last two games of the season as a rookie after spending the previous 16 weeks on the practice squad.
Lux is a tad undersized for a cornerback, standing 5-10 and 180 pounds, but the Bengals don’t mind with DJ Turner being virtually the same size. Lux and Turner repped together with the 1s Tuesday, and Josh Newton was the other outside corner.
Brayln Lux Stats & Facts
Cincinnati is giving Lux a chance to cut his teeth with the starting defense.
- Lux played five years in college. His first three years were spent at Fresno State (2020-22), and final two were at Texas Tech (2023-24).
- In 21 games with the Red Raiders, Lux amassed 67 tackles, 13 passes defensed, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
- Lux signed a futures deal to come back to the Bengals in January.
Lux was a mere practice squad elevation as a rookie, and now seems to have a shot at starting with a revamped defense. Turner and Dax Hill are locked in as starters on the outside, and there’s now a three-way battle in the slot between Davis, Lux, and Taylor.
Dax Hill injury variable
It’s possible Lux’s starting exposure to the starters was necessitated by Hill not practicing during team drills.
Per Cincinnati Bengals on SI’s James Rapien, Hill was held out after individual drills after he took a tumble last week.
Hill fell hard on his right leg during practice last week. He was held out for precautionary reasons, sources confirmed. Could he have practiced? Of course. Was it worth the risk in June? Absolutely not. Hill’s lack of participation had nothing to do with the fact that he’s entering the final year of his contract.
James Rapien
Cincinnati Bengals on SI publisher
Hill sidelined paved the way for Josh Newton to run with the 1s on the outside in his place. Newton has repped in the slot during his two years with the Bengals.
Was it a trickle down effect? Maybe. It’s all the same for Lux, who is trying to become a successful roster long shot like wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was last year.
Training camp starts on July 29 in Cincinnati. Expect Lux to have his chances along with Davis, Taylor, and potentially Newton.