Optimistic Bengals predictions: The defensive line is among the most dominant in the NFL
Cincinnati has had two staples on the defensive line for years now in Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins. The duo has anchored the unit and earned recognition that puts them among the best at their positions. Maintaining their dominant production has allowed young stars like Sam Hubbard and Carl Lawson to start emerging. The final piece to the puzzle was added this offseason when free agent D.J. Reader chose to wear stripes.
Cincinnati now has five players along the front that are talented enough to demand the attention of an offensive scheme. This will create havoc when teams are not able to adequately block the Bengals’ defensive line because each player would demand a special talent or double team to stop them from reaching the quarterback.
D.J. Reader will need to turn some of his quarterback hits (13 in 2019) into sacks, but having such a talented group around him could give him a little more time to make big plays. Hubbard and Lawson can still develop further to reach their ceiling, but both have been especially productive players their first few years in the league. Atkins and Dunlap just need to put together a normal season for their talent levels.
Cincinnati may not have a household name like Khalil Mack or Aaron Donald but they should get enough production from their five-plus high-caliber players that will turn the unit into one of the best in the NFL.