The Cincinnati Bengals‘ defensive line improved in 2021 and the team is hoping to see an even better turnout from the unit in 2022. The only big name they lost on the d-line was Larry Ogunjobi, who could honestly still end up coming back but wouldn’t play as big of a role.
Fortunately, the team was able to retain B.J. Hill and they’ll also have Sam Hubbard, D.J. Reader, and Trey Hendrickson returning to the starting lineup too. The unit should be just as good, if not better, than it was during the Bengals’ Super Bowl season.
Let’s check out the depth chart for the Bengals’ defensive line for the 2022 season.
All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com.
All contract info is courtesy of Spotrac.
Starting LDE: Sam Hubbard
Reserves: Cam Sample, Wyatt Hubert, Noah Spence
Fresh off the most impressive season of his career, local product Sam Hubbard will be the team’s starting left defensive end. Hubbard put together an impressive season in 2021, totaling 62 tackles, 17 QB hits, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three defended passes, and one forced fumble
Behind Hubbard at the position are Cam Sample, Wyatt Hubert, and Noah Spence. Sample and Hubert were both drafted last year with Sample hearing his name called in the fourth round and Hubert getting drafted in the seventh round. Sample played in 14 games last year and had 14 tackles and 1.5 sacks while Hubert, unfortunately, missed the entirety of his rookie year due to injury.
Spence is a former Ohio State and Eastern Kentucky product and played in two games with the Bengals last year. He’s a practice squad candidate for the 2022 season but might be able to pass Hubert on the depth chart with a good training camp and preseason.