Can Any Bengals’ CB Step Up And Become A Shutdown?
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) tosses a ball at Cincinnati Bengals training camp on the Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024.
Since their inception in 1968, the Cincinnati Bengals have drafted two players who played their entire careers with the franchise that would go on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Legendary offensive tackle Anthony Munoz and defensive back Ken Riley, arguably one of the most underrated players in his position in NFL history. A quarterback at Florida A&M university (where he would later return as head coach following his NFL career), Bengals founder Paul Brown would convert him to cornerback upon selecting him with the team’s sixth round pick in the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft. While one can talk about how society at the time necessitated such a move, it would ultimately prove to be a fortuitous one. Riley finished his career with 65 interceptions – tied with fellow Hall of Famer and Heisman winner Charles Woodson – posthumously earning his place in Canton in 2023 after dying on June 7, 2020, at age 72.
For whatever reason, however, Riley was not a heralded player during his career, never once making a Pro Bowl despite earning All-Pro honors three times. Despite that, he was the earliest definition in Bengals’ history of the proverbial “shutdown corner,” a.k.a. a defensive back that essentially takes away their side of the field for opposing quarterbacks.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, Riley is the only cornerback in the team’s history (to date, anyway) that merits inclusion in that conversation. Former Bengals cornerback Deltha O’Neal did lead the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2005 –the first time he made the Pro Bowl – but a shutdown corner in orange and black? That hasn’t been seen in quite some time. As of recent the team seems no where close, a fact evident by the 4,480 yards the team gave up as the NFL’s sixth worst pass defense in 2023. But is it possible the Bengals have someone who could fill that role in 2024 moving forward? With the safety room back in a good place, the team does have several candidates, each of whom brings their own unique skillset to put their name in the conversation this season.
The case for Cam Taylor-Britt
At 5’11 and 200 pounds, Taylor-Britt certainly has the look of a modern NFL cornerback. Likewise, the 2022 second-round pick has made positive strides over the course of each of his first two seasons with increases in both passes defensed(6 to 11) and interceptions (0 to 4). His four picks were tied for seventh in the NFL, fitting for the man who emerged as the team’s top player at his position in just his second year.
Now, with a returning Von Bell and fellow veteran Geno Stone taking their spots at safety, Taylor-Britt could be poised to have a big breakout in his third season … Provided he can stay healthy and not miss time like he did in both his freshman and sophomore NFL campaigns.
The case for DJ Turner II
He beat out Hill for the other starting cornerback job to start the season; however, it’s now up to JuanDrago to show that the “II” at the end of his full name isn’t where he’s ranked on the depth chart. Running the fastest 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine (4.26 seconds), he had seven passes defensed in 2023, but also fell into the inexperience big play group with Hill at times. Turner II had a strong training camp coming into the season, but the preseason is just that – preseason. Now it’s time to see if he can shine when it counts. Speed is everything in the and he has it to keep up with anyone.
The case for Dax Hill
“Flashes” – that’s what Hill has shown the Bengals coaching staff since being selected with the team’s first round draft pick in 2022, but it has yet to come together all the way. At 6’ and 195 pounds, he certainly came into the NFL with pedigree playing for a pre-National Championship Michigan Wolverines team under now-Los Angeles Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. After a relatively uneventful rookie season, he started every game at safety in 2023, ranking third on the team with 110 total tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.
However, inexperience in the secondary caused some blown coverages, leading to big plays at inopportune times, Hill sometimes unfortunately in that mix. Now transitioning to cornerback, he was battling DJ Turner II for second starting cornerback job this preseason … And he did not get it. Perhaps opening the season as the nickel corner will help ease him into a bigger role, one which the Bengals will need him to grab with both hands if an injury occurs.
The sleeper pick Josh Newton
Newton is the unknown commodity in the Bengals secondary. A fifth round pick out of Texas Christian University (TCU), Newton may have benefitted from the lack of hype around him based on the buzz he built up during training camp, both positive and negative. On the plus side, Newton hauled in an interception in his first NFL action against Tampa Bay, looking great in the process. The following week, however, would see him flagged with a 43-yard pass interference penalty as part of the 27-3 drubbing by the Chicago Bears. He would rebound against the Indianapolis Colts, logging three tackles including one for loss, finishing the preseason with two passes defensed as well. Newton may play sparingly his rookie year, but one play can change everything at a moment’s notice; if the Bengals are to improve on 2023’s numbers, Bengals fans shouldn’t be surprised if Newton’s gets called early and often.
Is it unrealistic to hope that one of these young corners emerges into a Dorsey level talent? Perhaps, but they all have the combination of youth and ability that, at this point, makes their potential unknown. In an all in season it’s an excellent opportunity for one of these youngsters to make a name for himself and start to take his career to a place Bengals’ fans haven’t seen in a long, long time
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