Cincinnati Bengals: Predicting Practice Squad

S: Isaiah Lewis

Jul 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Isaiah Lewis (41) during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Following the 2014 draft, the Bengals were able to sign Darqueze Dennard’s “no fly zone” teammate, safety Isaiah Lewis.  Lewis is a physical player who was expected to go higher in the draft until he suffered a knee injury during his senior year.  Lewis has been quiet as of late after showing well during the early portion of the off-season per Bengals.com, Geoff Hobson.

"First-round pick Darqueze Dennard and his Michigan State teammate, safety Isaiah Lewis, have looked terrific the first two weeks and get the chance to keep it going. Dennard has looked like a pro playing the slot cornerback with the first group even though he barely played inside at East Lansing. Lewis, nicknamed “Sparty,” by safety coach Mark Carrier, has responded to the former Pro Bowl safety’s advice to study the game from the back end and not just from back to front headed to the line of scrimmage."

The Bengals will certainly carry enough safeties on the roster, but they’ve struggled to find depth in recent years, so having an extra body on the practice squad will be helpful.  Lewis is a physical safety who will need to work on his coverage and ball skills if he is to make an impact in the NFL.  In a pass-happy league, I’d expect the Bengals to keep as many quality defensive backs as possible considering their struggle to stay healthy in past years.