Cincinnati Bengals Put Massive Expectations on Rookie Defender Going into 2024 Season

Without a doubt, the biggest hole on this defense will be the nose tackle position after aging superstar D.J. Reader left the team for the Detroit Lions during the recent free-agency window.  Reader was a mammoth on the defensive line over the past few seasons and without him, Cincinnati had a serious predicament particularly after the team also neglected to retain their backup nose tackle Josh Tupou.

With the departure of Reader, it appears that Cincinnati will potentially shift to a defensive front with two 2-technique defensive linemen rather than the traditional combination of a 3-technique with a nose tackle.  That theory would be supported by the team’s decision to pick up standout Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins this offseason to a sizeable contract.

While Rankins will potentially make an impact, the biggest story is that the franchise drafted two defensive tackles in the first four rounds of the recent 2024 NFL Draft including University of Michigan superstar Kris Jenkins Jr. and Texas A&M nose tackle McKinnley Jackson.  Jenkins was a team captain for the national championship Wolverines team last season and Cincinnati has an affinity with collegiate players in leadership positions.

The most notable commentary with two rookie defensive tackles and two veteran defensive tackles including Rankins and veteran starter B.J. Hill is that the defensive front will reportedly rely on the two rookies far more than anticipated early on.  Jackson is officially the only true nose tackle on this roster as the former Aggie weighs in at 325 pounds while the team is reportedly high on Jenkins’ potential.  ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler gave his commentary recently.

“Cincinnati expects both players to contribute right away. In Jenkins, Cincinnati sees shades of B.J. Hill with more upside. And Jackson is a true run-stopper.” Fowler reported.  

Jenkins may be slightly undersized but the team clearly thinks that it will be worth getting him experience early to become the long-term option at the 3-technique position.  Jenkins does appear to have excellent strength for a player weighing in at under 300 pounds and could step in as a true leader for this defense in desperate need of it.

Whether or not either rookie wins a starting job in training camp, it is clear that both Rankins and Hill should be on notice heading into the 2024 season.  With two promising rookies on the horizon, their jobs appear less and less secure by the day.