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Bengals positions with largest question marks

By Travis Steffen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings passes the ball in the first half of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Tackle

Cincinnati still holds one of the top defensive tackles in the league with Geno Atkins. There’s no doubt that Atkins can be considered the best player on the Bengals roster but considering the defense runs a 4-3 scheme, there is a huge question mark past Atkins. For the last couple of seasons, the defensive tackle position next to Atkins has been a weak spot on a defensive line with major talent depth.

Second-year defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow comes to mind as a player that could prove to be better following a full offseason. He showed some promise and flashes in 2017 but was not consistent enough to hold down the spot next to Atkins. Hauling in a total of 23 tackles, Glasgow should not be considered a sure starter which is why the team also brought in other defensive tackles this offseason to compete for the job. The Michigan prospect rated 71.2 by Pro Football Focus last season which is average, but will he be enough to plug the running lanes that seem to always find their way through the Bengals defensive line in 2018? There was not enough to see last season that would make me feel comfortable about the position.

Another second-year defensive tackle is Andrew Billings. With only nine tackles recorded last season, he’s obviously not someone that showed enough to see considerable snaps on the defense. In fact, we hardly know what we even have in Billings.

Chris Baker was brought in on a one-year deal after being let go following their first season of his three year deal with the Buccaneers. Given his history playing under multiple Bengals coordinators during their time in Washington, it made sense for Cincinnati to grab Baker on a cheap one-year deal to compete for the position. With that being said, he is another player that doesn’t make me feel confident in the position next to Atkins finally being filled with ease.

The organization went a step further by drafting Andrew Brown in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Brown has been talked about as having similar play style as Atkins but considering his fifth-round selection and amount of development needed, don’t expect to see him getting considerable starts, if any, in the upcoming season.

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