5 biggest things learned from Cincinnati Bengals training camp so far
The Cincinnati Bengals are getting ready to go from training camp to the preseason this week. Here are my five biggest takeaways from Bengals training camp.
For the first time in a long time, it’s a game week for the Cincinnati Bengals. The preseason schedule kicks off Thursday night as Cincinnati hosts the Detroit Lions for their first exhibition of the month.
Training camp isn’t over just yet, but we are indeed entering a new phase of the ramp up period to the regular season.
Now that we’re just a few days away from seeing this team on the field for real (kind of), what have we learned? Here are my five biggest takeaways from Bengals camp.
Defense has a real chance at being good
Too long has the goal for Cincinnati’s defense to be just average. That is of course relative to the severely below average results that have been the case over the last handful of years. Just get that side of the ball to passable, and with an established and dangerous offense, there is potential for another crack at the Super Bowl.
I don’t think the Bengals are going to be average on defense. I think they have a real shot at being above that.
Cincinnati has successfully built a legitimate defensive line. There were pieces already a part of the puzzle at the start of the year, but the additions made during free agency in the draft has the unit firing on all cylinders right now. This isn’t about just one player, but rather the position group has a whole being capable of elevating the entire defense to where it needs to be. When the past rush gets home quickly, everyone else behind them has it easier. When running lanes are quickly filled, safeties and, in some cases, linebackers are no longer counted on to prevent explosive plays.
The Bengals already had a few worthy young players growing in starter roles. They seem to have found the Wright veteran complements to form a defense that can transcend mediocrity. Against all odds, this defense might actually be better than most in the NFL this year.
Dexter Lawrence is ready to dominate, again
Anyone who still thinks that Dexter Lawrence’s best days are behind him have not been paying attention to training camp outside of Paycor Stadium.
On a practice field in which Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are there every day, the best player in a Bengals practice jersey over the last two weeks has worn the No. 97.
Lawrence has dominated in every practice he’s participated in which has been most of them. Whether it’s tossing center Ted Karras to the side and pass protection, or preventing running back Chase Brown from squeezing through the hole with just one hand, the 28 year-old has been there.
Cincinnati had never made a trade like the one to get Lawrence on its team. Through two weeks of camp, he looks exactly like the exception to the rule.
Complete openness at wide receiver
I feel like five wide receivers are locks to make the 53-man roster. Chase, Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley, and Colbie Young do not need to worry about their job security during the preseason. But those three behind the two stars at the top could have roles significantly different than the ones they have now when the season begins.
While Iosivas is the No. 3, Tinsley has also been taking first team reps, particularly on run plays, and Young has answered the call time and time again when Burrow has targeted him. The depth chart may not be able to accurately portray how close these three really are, and how fluid they’re standing, could actually be.
Then there’s the final spot beneath them. Charlie Jones, Ke’Shawn Williams, and Dohnte Meyers all feel like they’re neck and neck for the No. 6 gig. Meyers specifically has impressed as a receiver, and that may not matter as the job will likely come down to returning abilities. Jones has the inside track as the incumbent, but we’ve seen that job switch hands in the preseason many times before.
These battles will likely last the remainder of the preseason, and I’m excited to watch them unfold even more.
No news is good news at linebacker
Arguably the biggest concern on the Bengals’ roster lies at linebacker. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter entered camp as the undisputed starters, despite outside fear of that being the case all the way back in March.
I can’t say either of them have been causes of concern through two weeks of camp. On the second day of practice, the two of them tag teamed to force a burrow interception in which Carter forced the pressure, and Knight hauled in the pick. Since then, they have operated cleanly while other players around them have made standout plays.
For two second-year starters coming off disappointing rookie campaigns, it’s hard to ask for much more than that.
Cincinnati will not have its return to defensive competency with liabilities at LB. Knight and Carter have done enough to ease concerns for now.
Secondary developments
It felt like there was going to be an actual competition at nickelback. Jalen Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor, and Bralyn Lux fighting off one another to start in between cornerbacks DJ Turner II and Dax Hill felt like the plan.
In reality, this is definitely Davis’ job to lose, and I would be shocked if either Taylor or Lux took it from him at this point.
The CB room will likely have six players roster by the time final cuts come around. One of Taylor or Lux will join Davis in the slot, and the back up boundary jobs currently belong to third-round draft pick Tacario Davis, and fourth year backup DJ Ivey. That means Josh Newton, who has logged eight starts over the last two years, is on the outside looking in.
