5 second-year Bengals poised for big 2022 season

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B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. B.J. Hill

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed B.J. Hill while letting Larry Ogunjobi leave, which means fans will see a lot more of Hill this season when it comes to snap counts.

When the Bengals traded former first-round pick Billy Price to the Giants in exchange for Hill, his impact in year one was more and beyond what the fanbase and team thought they would get. He became a vital role in the Bengals’ defense and the defensive line, especially in the postseason.

Ogunjobi got hurt against the Raiders in the Wild Card round, which held him out the rest of the postseason run. Hill was forced to step into a starting level role over a rotational position, rising to the occasion. Hill had one of the biggest defensive plays of the season when he tipped a Patrick Mahomes pass in the AFC Championship and intercepted it to energize the Cincinnati comeback.

Hill recorded a career-high 50 total tackles and 12 quarterback hits, and 5.5 sacks in 16 games this season. In three playoff games, he’s recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a defended pass. Year 2 as a Bengal should be even better for Hill.