Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense played a central role in wasting what should have been a banner year put up by the offense. The unit was seventh-worst in scoring, eighth-worst in total defense, 12th-worst in passing, and 14th-worst in rushing. Its 119 missed tackles on the year were tied for the sixth-most in the NFL and allowed a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that had not totalled over 500 yards since it was knocked out of the Wild Card round after the 2020 season.
Considering the defense has been a weakness for not one but two seasons (and three of the last five), the Bengals attempted to address the issue in the draft. This year, Cincinnati picked three of its first four picks on the defensive side of the ball, and all three are expected to contribute regularly (assuming they all sign their rookie contracts in time…). Last year, the Bengals picked five defenders, and in 2023, they used each of their first three picks on the defensive side of the ball.
Those 2023 draftees need to step up, and one has been tabbed as a breakout candidate. Could Jordan Battle be the key to a competent defense in Cincinnati?
A Breakout on the Bengals Defense Could be the Key to Success
Last year, the safeties were a glaring issue on the defense. Of course, it could be argued that everyone except Trey Hendrickson was disappointing. Logan Wilson and Dax Hill were having good seasons before their injuries, but even they had lapses in their performance. Assuming the team figures it out with Hendrickson, the defensive line looks to be at least a little better on paper.
However, an improved defensive line could do wonders for the secondary. Battle has the talent to take advantage. Back at the beginning of the month, Pro Football Focus’ Jonathon Macri picked Battle as a breakout candidate for the Bengals:
“The Bengals have been toying with their starting safeties since Jessie Bates departed in free agency in 2023 but have a potential answer who has been patiently waiting in Battle. The 2023 third-round pick took over the starting job late in his rookie season, ultimately finishing as a top-10-graded safety overall. Still, the team replaced him with veterans Vonn Bell and Geno Stone in 2024, and as Bell faltered, Battle once again earned back a starting job, though he didn’t grade nearly as strongly because the entire Bengals defense struggled last season. It appears that the team will finally deploy Battle as a Day 1 starter with a new defensive coordinator, which should help him get back to his rookie-year form.”
Macri must really like Battle because he also picked the safety from Alabama to be the breakout prior to the 2024 season as well.
Prepped for Battle
Plenty of Bengals fans wanted the team to go out and sign a free agent safety like Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon. When the draft hit and no free agent was signed, perhaps the team would go for a Malaki Starks or Xavier Watts. Again, the team chose to stand pat.
Of course, neither aforementioned safety has signed, so either could make their way to Cincinnati. However, it’s apparent the front office struggles to walk and chew gum at the same time, so the distraction of Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr.’s rookie contract situation, as well as the whole Hendrickson situation, may be too much to handle.
If Battle is going to break out, it has to be this year. The team has consistently failed to make up for royally messing up the Jessie Bates III situation, and whiffing on both Battle and Geno Stone will make the decision to let the best safety in football walk continue to age like milk.
Can Battle break out? Absolutely. However, it’s not a matter of if at this point. The Bengals defense needs Battle to step up.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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