The Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive tackle depth looks as strong as it has ever been with training camp just two weeks away.

B.J. Hill returns as the lone incumbent starter. He’s joined by Jonathan Allen, who signed a two-year deal in free agency, and Dexter Lawrence, acquired via a blockbuster trade right before the 2026 NFL Draft.

All three are going to play starting roles. The newly-formed group rivals, and likely surpasses, the trio Hill, Larry Ogunjobi, and D.J. Reader from the 2021 Super Bowl squad. Behind them, T.J. Slaton remains as a fourth starting-caliber body in the rotation.

Further down the depth chart, an intriguing roster battle is brewing between three players who may be competing for, at most, two spots.

Kris Jenkins Jr. firmly on the hot seat

The player atop this discussion has to be Kris Jenkins Jr. The Bengals drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft as the future replacement for Hill, who at the time was entering the final year of his contract. The son of former Pro Bowl DT Kris Jenkins had the athleticism, run-stopping production, and of course, NFL pedigree of a future starter.

Two years later, it just hasn’t clicked for Jenkins. There have been the occasional flashes, but not enough to avoid what has happened over the past 16 months. Hill re-signing to a three-year deal, Allen arriving on a multi-year contract of his own, and the Lawrence trade all point toward a front office that does not trust Jenkins as a reliable option entering what should be the prime of his career.

For a former top-50 pick who’s still just 25 years old, the Bengals need Jenkins to be more than the fourth or fifth name in the rotation. The time is now to show out. 

McKinnley Jackson is closing the gap?

You could argue the flashes from McKinnley Jackson, a third-round pick in that same 2024 draft, have been even better than what Jenkins has shown. He has proven to be more of a one-gap penetrating disruptor than a traditional nose tackle. Think Pat Sims backing up Domata Peko in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

The problem for Jackson is he’s got massive company now. He was considered a major reach at the time he was drafted, viewed as a fifth- or sixth-round prospect, and Cincinnati took him out of desperation for a NT. With Lawrence and Slaton now on the roster, there’s little need for a third player at the position outside of the practice squad.

Jackson requested a trade in the middle of last season after being a healthy scratch week after week, even when the position was far from a strength. He’s still here, and should be considered an equal to Jenkins in terms of roster chances.

Landon Robinson taking on the wild card role

The newcomer is seventh-round pick Landon Robinson, one of the Bengals’ most praised selections from April. Robinson was the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Navy and has a build reminiscent of Geno Atkins as a powerful, explosive 3-technique.

That comparison is unfair for a rookie who didn’t face top-tier competition in college, but his pass-rushing instincts, natural leverage, and quickness give him tools that should eventually translate.

Robinson’s preseason production could surpass Jenkins’ output, provided he receives equal opportunity. Alternatively, the Bengals could limit his snaps to try to sneak him onto the practice squad. In an ideal world, he receives the same chances Jenkins and Jackson will get.

Predicting the Bengals’ final math

Cincinnati’s plan is clear. Lawrence, Allen, and Hill will rotate as a three-man starting group, with all three potentially on the field together for significant stretches each week. Slaton, a full-time starter last year, slides into the fourth spot to spell Lawrence and keep the 28-year-old All-Pro contender fresh for the entire year. That’s why Slaton’s presence matters so much.

Four starting-caliber DT at the top of the roster is a luxury most teams don’t have, and some clubs only keep four total. The Bengals will roster more than that, but the final number (five or six) determines who proves worthy of sticking around. Considering their base defense consists of three interior players, six is a justifiable number to land on.

That leaves two spots for Jenkins, Jackson, and Robinson. The latter should earn one of them off merit alone, pinning Jenkins and Jackson against each other in a free-for-all. 

This should be one of the most heated competitions in all of Bengals training camp.