The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals and preview how it might perform this season.
Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
The Bengals had one of the worst run defenses in the league last season, allowing 5.2 yards per carry to running backs (31st). They ranked 29th in yards before contact allowed per RB run and 27th in explosive run rate allowed on those carries. Last year’s top trio along the defensive line is back, but they weren’t impact players. It was not surprising, then, when Cincinnati made a blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence ahead of the draft and added Jonathan Allen in free agency.
Cincinnati ranked 24th in pressure rate (33.4%) and 22nd in sacks (35) last season. Trey Hendrickson tied for third on the team in sacks despite playing just seven games, and he left for the Ravens in free agency. One of the players ahead of him in sack count was Joseph Ossai, who also left in free agency. The Bengals did make a splash in free agency, signing Boye Mafe away from the Seahawks, and they drafted Cashius Howell in the second round. Cincinnati has also spent recent first-round picks on Myles Murphy (2023) and Shemar Stewart (2025).
The Bengals did not get good play out of their linebackers last season, though both were thrust into major roles as rookies. Both Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter ranked outside the top 75 qualified linebackers in run stuff rate, and neither ranked inside the top 40 in tackle rate on run plays among that same group. Carter allowed 9.9 yards per target and a 115.8 quarterback rating in coverage. Knight was better in those metrics, but he still was not a plus defender against the pass.
Not just bad against the run, Cincinnati also ranked 29th in yards per pass attempt allowed and 28th in EPA per pass allowed. Dax Hill and DJ Turner were the primary options at corner last season, and both played reasonably well. Hill allowed just 6.0 yards per target in his coverage, and Turner had his best season with 6.4 yards per target allowed. Jalen Davis also had success covering the slot late last season, though he is 30 and has played 698 career snaps on defense. Bengals corners played better individually than their overall team numbers suggest, and they added Tacario Davis in the third round.
The Bengals made a big addition to the safety group in free agency, signing Bryan Cook away from the Chiefs. Cook has been a quality starter the last two years and should be a big improvement over what the Bengals got out of Geno Stone. They also added Kyle Dugger to the mix at safety. He should be the third option behind Cook and Jordan Battle, a 2023 third-round pick who is entering the final year of his rookie deal but could get an extension.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview to Get Penalty Analysis for All 32 NFL Teams
Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
Get Warren's Book
Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play-calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams