Part 5: Specialists
Analysis: Arguably the deepest and most talented position group on the team in 2015, the defensive line sent two players to the Pro Bowl as tackle Geno Atkins returned to form and end Carlos Dunlap had a career year in setting the franchise's official sack record with 13.5.
While Michael Johnson had a solid but unspectacular season with five sacks, the success of the defensive line is measured in aggregate, not individual numbers, and there’s not a team in the NFL that would not sign up for the promise of 18.5 sacks from its two starting defensive ends.
But after those three, the defensive line is filled with questions heading into 2016. Tackle Domata Peko, who also set a career high with five sacks, is entering his 11th season and final year of his contract. Wallace Gilberry took his valued end/tackle versatility to Detroit as a free agent, tackle Brandon Thompson is coming off a torn ACL in the season finale, and ends Margus Hunt (second round, 2013) and Will Clarke (third round, 2014) have yet to live up to their high draft slots.
Bengals coaches love the promise shown by Marcus Hardison, last year’s fourth round pick who is likely to fill Gilberry’s tweener role, and DeShawn Williams, an undrafted free agent who shined in the preseason. But Hardison was inactive for all 16 games and Williams spent the season on the practice squad, so plenty of questions still exist with them as well.
Adding to the uncertainty is the coaching change after long-time defensive line coach Jay Hayes (13 years with the Bengals, 27 overall) left for Tampa Bay and was replaced by Jacob Burney, a 21-year veteran coach who spent five seasons in Washington from 2010-14.
Even though Dunlap and Johnson are signed for three more years, the Bengals love to roll with a rotation to keep guys fresh and they have always employed the best-available-athlete philosophy.
The team also has a history of not targeting defensive tackles early. Only twice in the Marvin Lewis era have they taken one before the fourth round, which was in 2012 when they took two, drafting Devon Still in the second and Thompson in the third.
Needs: Another edge rusher and another tackle are atop the wish list and either one could be the focus when the Bengals go on the clock with the 24th pick, especially if three or four wide receivers have flown off the board by that time.
Tackle would seem to be the greater need with the timeline for Thompson’s return still uncertain and Peko on the back end of his career. But it’s hard to dismiss what defensive coordinator Paul Guenther told reporters at the Combine in February: “Give me pass rushers and guys that can cover and we’ll figure out the rest.”
Both spots need to be addressed in the draft, it’s just a matter of which one the Bengals target first.
Top 5 prospects
1 . Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Strong, flexible, explosive and disciplined, Bosa is likely to be a top-5 pick.
2. DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon
At 6-foot-7 he’s taller than your typical defensive end, so pad level could be an issue. But scouts love his motor and strength, and with rapidly rising stock he could end up getting drafted ahead of Bosa.
3. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Thick, solid frame and a history of rushing from a standing position in college make him a great fit for a 3-4 defense. Flexibility could be an issue given his tank-like build.
4. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
He’s versatile enough to fit any NFL system and powerful enough to be a dominant factor. At just 6-foot-1 with shorter arms, he could struggle early to adjust to the stronger guards he’ll see in the NFL than he did at Louisville.
5. A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Powerful lower body and he comes from a school with a history of producing quality interior defensive lineman. Some mock drafts have him going as high as the top 15.
Sleeper
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
He never started a game in high school or his firsts three years in college, yet the former walk-on was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and is likely to be a Day 2 pick in the draft. He’s not one of those can’t-miss guys, but there is considerable upside there.
Part 4: Offensive line
Part 3: Wide receivers/tight ends
Part 2: Running backs
Part 1: Quarterback
