Bengals Defensive Unit Ranked Among Bottom NFL Teams After Offseason Overhaul

Cincinnati worked hard to upgrade this unit.

Jun 10, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) blocks alongside Cincinnati Bengals center Seth McLaughlin (68) against the defensive line at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Bengals spent plenty of resources trying to upgrade the defensive front this offseason, but some are still skeptical it will produce strong results. The team at Sharp Football Analysis ranked all 32 defensive front seven units recently, and Cincinnati's checked in at No. 26 on the list.

Cincinnati added two-time Pro Bowlers in Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen this past spring, while signing edge rusher Boye Mafe as well.

Motivation To Prove It

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 17-13. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The lack of proven edge talents held Cincinnati back in the ranking, plus, they did not add to the worst linebacker production unit in the league last season.

"The Bengals overhauled their struggling front seven, but it's hard to imagine the pass-rush unit drastically improving after the loss of Trey Hendrickson. Last season, Cincy generated pressure in 2.5 seconds or less on just 15% of opponent dropbacks, ranked 31st," The site noted.

Among AFC North teams, Cincinnati ranked by far the worst, as every other division rival slotted into the top 10 on the list.

It's not a shocking take given recent history and the unproven factor of Al Golden at defensive coordinator. They ranked bottom-five in both run-defense and pass-rush grading on Pro Football Focus last season. Things got better for the whole unit against some bad offenses down the stretch of last season, but they still have to show they can execute Golden's system and have these new stars elevate the whole operation.

There's little reason to think the front seven won't be at least 26th or better, likely closer to the middle of the league. Cincinnati is adding a hungry, motivated pair of healthy veterans in Lawrence and Allen. Mafe also has the underlying metrics to pop in a bigger role (86th percentile ESPN Pass-Rush Win Rate across 383 snaps in 2025).

A rising tide from all of them should help jolt the whole unit and likely beat this projection.

Check out the 1-32 ranking below:

1. Texans

2. Eagles

3. Rams

4. Broncos

5. Seahawks

6. Browns

7. Steelers

8. 49ers

9. Lions

10. Ravens

11. Patriots

12. Chiefs

13. Packers

14. Buccaneers

15. Jaguars

16. Jets

17. Cowboys

18. Giants

19. Panthers

20. Vikings

21. Chargers

22. Titans

23. Bills

24. Commanders

25. Colts

26. Bengals

27. Raiders

28. Saints

29. Cardinals

30. Bears

31. Falcons

32. Dolphins

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