Safety Will Go From A Weakness To Strength In 2024
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
2023 was a year to forget for Cincinnati at the safety position. It began by watching Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates depart for other teams. The loss of Bates was particularly significant, as he was a second-year All-Pro in his first year with the Falcons.
Need to stop talking about Jessie Bates the pro bowler, and talking about Jessie Bates the All-Pro pic.twitter.com/N3wRZGk0pl
— Damski 🫶🏽 (@Damski32) December 4, 2023
In an attempt to replace the dynamic duo, the Bengals began the year with 2022 first round selection Dax Hill and FA acquisition Nick Scott. It did not go according to plan.
Nick Scott was the far weaker of the two players. After signing a 3 year, $12 million deal in the 2023 offseason, he quickly became a liability in the secondary. He was released one year into his three year deal and signed an undisclosed one year deal with Carolina.
Dax Hill, on the other hand, showed flashes of solid play, but he was inconsistent. His coverage skills (43.0 PFF grade and 114.8 passer rating allowed in 2023) left a lot to be desired. However, he was much better as a run defender and pass rusher. Just ask Matthew Stafford.
Dax Hill just dropped a hammer on Matthew Stafford. pic.twitter.com/NyQ510hOwA
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 26, 2023
Duke Tobin knows that Dax Hill is versatile and has a role somewhere on the Bengals, he just needs to find it.
“Dax can play corner. Dax can play nickel. Dax can play free safety and Dax can play strong safety,” Tobin said. “Finding the best fit will be up to our defensive coaching staff and Zac and determine, ‘Where can this guy help us (win the most) football games?’ He can do an awful lot and we’re happy to have him.”
Midway through the season was when things began to take a positive turn. Nick Scott was benched and Cincinnati quickly realized they hit a home run with their 2023 third round draft pick.
Jordan Battle received a 90.0 PFF grade in week 18 after collecting 3 tackles, a sack, an INT and allowing 1 catch on 4 targets.
The Bengals rookie ended up being the highest graded defender for Cincinnati (82.5) after playing 524 snaps this year.
Of ALL rookie defenders this… pic.twitter.com/HmNeIfpT96
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) January 8, 2024
Battle took over Scott’s starting role midway through his rookie campaign and never looked back. While there were certainly growing pains, Zac Taylor caught wind of the impact Battle was making on defense.
“He made the most of his opportunities,” Taylor said. “We’ll rely on everyone moving forward. Jordan has done a great job. You saw him play a lot of snaps. That’ll continue as we go forward. It’s all about grabbing the opportunity in front of you. Jordan has done a good job of that.”
It only took one year for Battle to place himself among the NFL’s more effective safeties. He allowed an 83.1 passer rating, 71 combined tackles, two sacks, and notched his first career INT in Week 18 against Cleveland. He was named to the Pro Football Writers’ Association’s All-Rookie team in 2023, and is expected to make an even bigger leap next season.
He is expected to be paired with 2023’s interception leader amongst safeties.
GENO STONE PICKS OFF BURROW! pic.twitter.com/hu7Y1KOEcE
— Matthew (@HildenbrandMa) September 17, 2023
The Bengals’ first acquisition of the free agency period was remarkable in coverage. In 2023, he had a 53.3 passer rating allowed, 84.9 PFF coverage grade, and seven interceptions (four of which came in four straight games). His pass defense abilities will be sorely needed on a Bengals defense that struggled mightily in giving up big plays last season.
The Bengals weren’t done there. Soon after they signed Stone, they hit up an old friend.
— Malik Wright (@Wrightreportt) March 14, 2024
Wright’s tweet sent Who Dey Nation into a frenzy about Vonn Bell potentially returning. The next morning, it was confirmed by Adam Schefter that a deal was signed and Bell would be coming back.
Fans were excited that they would once again get a player who made a significant impact during their stretch of two straight AFC Championship game appearances. The man who picked off Mahomes in the AFC title game, and the man who leveled JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday Night Football was back in stripes. Bell, himself, was equally excited to return.
“I feel warm,” Bell said. “Glad to see a lot of familiar faces with the coaches. A lot of guys hit me up, and it’s just great to be back for sure.”
When Bell played in Carolina in 2023, he wasn’t bad by any means, but his production took a hit. He saw a career low total in tackles, didn’t have a single sack or forced fumble, and had his lowest overall PFF score since 2019 (63.9). He currently sits behind Stone and Battle on the depth chart. However, Bell’s veteran presence and familiarity with Lou Anarumo’s system will guarantee him a major role in 2024.
The combination of Bell, the emerging Jordan Battle, the ballhawk Geno Stone, and the underrated Dax Hill are a welcome sight for Lou Anarumo. Seeing the safety position go from a weakness in 2023 to a strength in 2024 will be something that Bengals fans can look forward to.
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