It was not too way back that the Cincinnati Bengals have been proper up high within the AFC pecking order. In 2021 and 2022, they acquired as shut as you will get to successful a Tremendous Bowl with out really successful it. There was the 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Tremendous Bowl LVI on the finish of the 2021 season and the 23-20 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the 2022 AFC Championship recreation.
After all, after these two 23-20 video games in a span of lower than a 12 months, issues began to come back aside. Joe Burrow’s well being turned extra of a priority in 2023 and 2025, and when Burrow performed at a thermonuclear stage in 2024, he did so with a Lou Anarumo protection that ranked twenty fifth in factors allowed and twenty seventh in DVOA.
Final season, Burrow performed in simply eight video games, and within the first half of the season, Al Golden’s protection was one of many worst… like, ever. In keeping with FTN’s information, Cincinnati’s defensive DVOA of 30.1% in Weeks 1-9 was the worst within the historical past of the metric, which presently goes again to 1977. Operating again Chase Brown and receiver Ja’Marr Chase have been yowling about stated protection in October, and for good motive.
Then, all of it rotated. From Week 10 by the tip of the season, the Bengals improved their Defensive DVOA to -2.2% (Defensive DVOA is healthier when it’s destructive), up from thirty second to thirteenth. And although the sins of the season’s first half wouldn’t be erased by that enchancment — the 2025 Bengals completed thirtieth in Defensive DVOA behind solely the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Jets — there was sufficient on the bone for administration to spend in each draft capital and precise {dollars} to enhance issues on that facet of the ball.
(FTN Soccer Almanac)
Therefore, the commerce for ex-New York Giants game-wrecker Dexter Lawrence, in addition to the signings of former Seattle Seahawks edge-rusher Boye Mafe, veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, former Kansas Metropolis Chiefs security Bryan Cook dinner, and veteran defensive again Kyle Dugger. Including Texas A&M edge-rusher Cashius Howell and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis within the second and third rounds of the 2026 draft ought to present much more enforcement potential.
So, right here’s what the plan for the Bengals this season appears to be: Financial institution on a wholesome Joe Burrow and all of his weapons, and provides the protection sufficient juice to be league common or higher after that historic awfulness. It labored not too way back, and it may work once more.
For that to occur, in fact, the Bengals will want the absolute best efficiency from all people on the roster. To that finish, I’ve recognized three Hidden Gems for the 2026 staff — one underrated veteran, one underrated free agent, and one underrated draft choose.
Listed below are the Hidden Gems on your 2026 Cincinnati Bengals.
Underrated veteran: DB Dax Hill
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Dax Hill #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts within the second quarter in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photograph by Dylan Buell/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
A major motive for the aforementioned defensive enchancment within the second half of the 2025 season was the choice to maneuver Dax Hill outdoors from the slot extra usually. For the reason that Bengals took the Michigan alum with the thirty first total choose within the 2022 draft, Hill has alternated between the 2 spots, with various levels of distinction. 2024 was a sophisticated season for Hill: he missed all however the first 5 video games with a knee harm, however he got here again sturdy, particularly when the staff wanted somebody to bookend the estimable DJ Turner II.
From Weeks 1-11 final season, Hill took simply 20% of his 666 (Iron Maiden riff right here) snaps outdoors; the remainder of the time, he was both a slot defender or a field man. However beginning in Week 12 in opposition to the New England Patriots, Hill’s outdoors reps elevated exponentially. 76% of his 366 reps in that point interval got here on the skin, and when focused there, Hill allowed 12 catches on 19 targets for six.7 yards per catch, no touchdowns, no interceptions, 4 go breakups, and an opponent passer score of 76.2.
Most significantly. Hill’s outdoors deployment instructed opponents that they couldn’t simply keep away from Turner and get away with THAT all day lengthy.
After the season, the Bengals named Hill their winner of the NFL’s Ed Block Braveness Award, which credit gamers who present “professionalism, great strength and dedication” within the face of adversity.
“I want to thank the entire organization and my teammates for thinking highly of me in coming back from my injury,” Hill stated. “Representing the team well, coming back, and making an impact was my big focus. I thank everybody for being in my corner, and I’m happy being back with the guys.”
“There is not a more deserving player than Dax Hill for the Ed Block Courage Award,” stated Bengals Director of Sports activities Medication/Head Athletic Coach Matt Summers. “Dax is a very consistent ‘everyday’ guy. His unwavering work ethic and trust in the rehab plan allowed him to return to the field in 2025 without hesitation. Dax is also very gracious with the time he commits to community service, and his humility further reflects the values he poses for his teammates to vote him as this year’s recipient.”
If Hill’s on-field neighborhood service continues to be the power to close receivers down as that outdoors man, that’s yet one more field for the staff to examine off as they struggle for relevance once more.
Underrated free agent: IDL Jonathan Allen
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 07: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders throws the ball as he’s hit by Jonathan Allen #93 of the Minnesota Vikings within the first quarter throughout a 2025 NFL recreation at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photograph by David Berding/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
Dexter Lawrence was clearly the massive transfer the Bengals made this offseason, nevertheless it wasn’t the one contract signed to bolster the defensive position. Getting nine-year veteran Jonathan Allen on a two-year, $25 million contract with $7.5 million assured ought to present some sneaky dividends.
Final season in Brian Flores’ crazy-quilt protection for the Minnesota Vikings, Allen had 4 sacks, 34 pressures, 44 solo tackles, 34 stops, and 7 tackles for loss. That was Allen’s first season in Minnesota after eight with the Washington (YOUR NAME HERE) franchise, which chosen him with the seventeenth total choose within the 2017 draft out of Alabama.
At his peak, Allen lived as much as all that draft capital spent, and whereas he will not be the strain machine he was in 2021 and 2022, he’s not that far off. At 6’3” and 300 kilos, he brings all of the motion expertise and a shocking quantity of energy to displace double groups for his dimension.
So long as Horny Dexy is on the sector, Allen gained’t see as many doubles as he did in 2025 — 190— and 17 of his 34 pressures got here when he had a couple of man on him. So, there might be a bump within the numbers for the veteran. And the run protection is already *chef’s kiss.*
Allen is definitely completely satisfied concerning the prospects for that inside line.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a guy to play like Dexter,” Allen stated in June. “Dexter is a unique guy, and I’m just excited for the opportunity.
”It’s humorous. After I left Minnesota (final season), I simply sat down and needed to actually suppose what I needed. I’d be mendacity if I stated I didn’t need to come up right here and put up nice numbers. That proves your price and why they introduced you in. However, actually, I simply need to play significant soccer in December, and I need to assist the staff any means I can. I consider if I try this, the numbers will come.
“At this point in my career, it’s all about winning, man.”
It’s been some time since anyone voiced that motive for signing with the Bengals, however right here we’re, and it may occur extra shortly with Allen’s contributions.
Underrated draft choose: Heart Connor Lew
AUBURN, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 11: Connor Lew #75 of the Auburn Tigers traces up in opposition to the Georgia Bulldogs throughout the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 11, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs) Getty Photographs
You clearly don’t understand how NFL groups really feel about your draft binkies till one really selects certainly one of them. Within the case of Auburn middle Connor Lew, I mocked him to the New England Patriots on the finish of the second spherical, so I used to be fairly shocked that Lew lasted till the 128th total choose within the fourth spherical, which is the place the Bengals took him.
Another excuse for positivity in Cincinnati this season is that the Bengals are returning all 5 of their starters on the offensive line. Nonetheless, that sort of continuity could be a two-edged sword — it’s nice if all people’s good and on the identical web page, however it may be a factor if a number of of the linemen struggles. Not that middle Ted Karras has been a rubbish fireplace or something, however the veteran can wrestle to remain on his blocks at instances, and when he hits the second stage… properly, typically, the second stage can hit again.
Enter Mr. Lew, whose presence has already put Karras on discover, to a level.
“I hope for the sake of the program this kid can be it,” Karras stated in April of Lew. “I’m excited to meet him, help him out. Everything I hear about this kid, I think he’s going to do great.”
One motive Lew lasted so long as he did within the draft was the torn left ACL he suffered final October. That stored him out of the draft course of, although the timeline for Lew’s return seems to be optimistic. The 6’3”, 303-pound rookie has a bit of labor to do with the basics, however hey — he’ll flip 21 on August 30, so there’s time to marinate earlier than he must know the whole lot. For essentially the most half, he appears like a future NFL foundational participant.
“You have to be able to pass protect to play for us, and you have to know at the center position how to get everybody else pointed in the right direction,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher stated of Lew. “He does that. He can anchor and solidify the interior of the pocket. He’s smart, he’s athletic, and he has a lot of tools to work with.”
We’ll see how lengthy it takes for Lew to take these instruments to the sector. My guess can be sooner moderately than later.
