Cincinnati Bengals: 6 players entering the last chance saloon in 2021
By Kyle Smith
Cincinnati Bengals entering last chance saloon – No. 2: Germaine Pratt
A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Germaine Pratt was slated to be the future of a dire position of need.
Over the last several years, the Bengals’ linebacker corps has been the Achilles heel of their defense. As Cincinnati failed to sign a veteran linebacker in the offseason, Lou Anarumo and company are banking on Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson taking a step forward to lead this defense where it needs to go.
Pratt was graded out at 41.5 in 2020 by PFF. On 686 snaps, Pratt had 55 solo tackles and nine tackles for loss. He also allowed an 80.9% completion percentage when targeted, giving up two touchdowns and 9.0 yards per catch.
If Pratt fails to improve on his pass coverage, he might fall down the depth chart behind Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither. If he continues to struggle in the middle of the field, he could be on his way out in Cincy.
Cincinnati Bengals entering last chance saloon – No. 1: Jonah Williams
Yes, Jonah Williams is a former first-round draft pick. Yes, he has played well when he’s on the field. But the problem is how little he has been on the field.
In two seasons in stripes, Williams has played only 10 games. During his rookie season, he suffered a shoulder injury during OTAs that caused him to miss the entire 2019 season. Last year, Williams was lost to a sprained MCL and sat out the last four games of the season.
Williams has been an above-average player when on the field. PFF graded Williams’ 2020 season at a 70.1, giving up only two penalties and three sacks on 634 offensive snaps. The Bengals couldn’t ask for much more from Williams during his 10 games starting at left tackle.
While it isn’t likely that the Bengals could look to cut ties this soon, they do have a decision looming about Williams’s fifth-year option. If he continues to fight injuries, the Bengals may need to begin looking at other solutions if injuries continue to derail Williams’ career.
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These six Bengals have a lot to prove entering the 2021 season and if there’s not a vast improvement from all of them, they’ll be on their way out of the Queen City.