Players:
98. DJ Reader
65. Larry Ogunjobi
76. Mike Daniels
99. Tyler Shelvin
68. Josh Tupou
95. Renell Wren
92. Freedom Akinmoladun
69. Kahlil McKenzie
DT was a position group for the Bengals that was decimated by injuries last season. Geno Atkins suffered a shoulder injury late into training camp. He missed a chunk of games and did not in any way look close to 100% when he returned. Prized free agent addition DJ Reader suffered an injury in week one, which caused him to miss around a third of the season, and Mike Daniels also missed a handful of games.
The fill-ins, in a vacuum, are fine rotational players, but those kinds of players were required to take on too large of a role. The Bengals largely failed to generate any kind of pressure from the middle.
The position does remain somewhat of a question mark. DJ Reader is back and his play at NT will be a significant upgrade over what the Bengals had for much of last year. The Bengals, up to this point, have decided not to bring back Geno Atkins. Instead, they brought in Larry Ogunjobi from the Browns. While he has the measurables and upside to be a big contributor, he hasn’t really been able to put it all together, thus far into his career. The Bengals will be hoping that he can take a big step forward.
The main depth, at the moment, consists of Mike Daniels and likely Tyler Shelvin. Daniels, while not the player he once was, is still a solid rotational piece and also a leader in the locker room. Shelvin, meanwhile, is a recent 4th round pick and plays a similar style to that of DJ Reader. He has a massive frame that can eat up blocks and help against the run. Seemingly the perfect backup to Reader. Being a rookie, I am not sure how much he will be involved, but it would not surprise me to see his role increase as the year goes on, allowing everyone to stay fresh.
After the top 4, there is a logjam of depth players, all fighting for maybe one spot on the roster, as well as one or two on the practice squad.
Josh Tupou is probably the most recognisable name. The 2017 UDFA eventually found his way onto the Bengals roster and started to turn some heads for his play against the run, as well as his combination of size and surprising athleticism. Tupou, however, opted out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19. After spending a year away from the team, it is hard to tell where he stands.
Also in the mix is 2019 4th round pick, Renell Wren. Wren is extremely athletic and was labeled as a high upside, but raw prospect. He did not make much of an impact in his rookie year and then suffered an unfortunate season ending injury before the 2020 season even started. He will have some ground to make up and will be fighting for a spot in a crowded room, but with his upside, he has a shot to rise up the depth chart.
Akinmoladun and McKenzie were both rotational pieces for the Bengals last year, after injuries hit. Akinmoladun has split time between the practice squad and the roster in his two years with the Bengals. He has managed to show a flash or two. McKenzie found his way into 7 games last year, his first with the Bengals. With new signings and players returning from injury, both seem to be on the outside looking in. Perhaps they can make a play for a practice squad spot.
The DT position is a question mark for the Bengals, heading into the 2021 season, but the group also has upside that they will be hoping to tap into. Much of that hope lies on the shoulders of Larry Ogunjobi, who has the potential to break out. Perhaps the Bengals look to free agency once more to add a more proven player to the mix. While it may be unlikely to come to fruition, the door might not yet be completely shut on bringing back Geno Atkins. As it stands, however, significant progress from the younger players will be crucial for the Bengals DL to have success.
Homescreen Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)