5 second-year Bengals poised for big 2022 season

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Joseph Ossai, Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

3. Joseph Ossai

Joseph Ossai was drafted in the third round out of Texas last season with the expectation that his high motor and ability to rush the passer would be on full display in his rookie season for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Ossai went down with a season-ending injury in training camp, which made many forget about his talent.

Ossai is a unique player. During college, he was known for being the type of guy who wouldn’t take a play off, always played with high energy, and had the talent to match that energy, which was a key reason the Bengals found him so intriguing as a prospect still available in the third round.

Ossai will be a critical rotational edge rusher for the Bengals. They will be able to utilize him in many different ways, including lining him up as an outside linebacker, placing him on the defensive line around the edge, or even using him in other scheme packages through blitzes within the A and B gaps. He has the speed and agility to react quick enough to make a play happen to line up wherever.

Ossai should be a player Bengals fans should be very excited about because he has all the skills, which makes him a very good defensive player for Cincinnati. Not to mention, he can make this pass rush even better than they were last year.