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Cincinnati Bengals: Roster cut predictions, Defense

By Kenn Korb

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after a defensive stop during the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after a defensive stop during the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Dre Kirkpatrick #27 of the Cincinnati Bengals shakes hands with fans as he walks off of the field at the end of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Philadelphia 32-14. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 4: Dre Kirkpatrick #27 of the Cincinnati Bengals shakes hands with fans as he walks off of the field at the end of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium on December 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated Philadelphia 32-14. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

* = starter; + = roster spot; x = suspended

* Dre Kirkpatrick
x Adam Jones
+ Josh Shaw
+ Darqueze Dennard
* William Jackson III
+ Tony McRae
KeiVarae Russell
Bene Benwikere (Traded to Cowboys)
* George Iloka
* Shawn Williams
+ Clayton Fejedelem
+ Derron Smith
+ Demetrious Cox
Brandon Wilson

You know how I lamented the lack of talent with the linebackers? We’re at the other end of the spectrum this time.

Few of these players would be among the league’s best in my eyes, but there are so many solid-or-better contributors in the group who are worthy of a spot. With Jones missing the first game of the season, that opens up at least one more spot for one of them to start the season too.

One other thing that’s affecting this group: injuries. So many of these players have been hurt in recent months, and that makes it feel even more necessary to load up in the secondary.

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Kirkpatrick dealt with a broken hand in the spring. Iloka has dealt with a knee problem in the summer. Williams had a terrible-looking elbow injury in the preseason. All three are unequivocal starters when healthy — and at least two of them (Kirkpatrick and Iloka) should be good to go in Week 1. We don’t know for sure when Williams will be playing again, but it should be in a few weeks or so rather than half a season away.

With Jones out in Week 1, an outside corner spot is open for the taking, and Jackson III should be the choice there. If not for missing his rookie year due to injury, he may already have that spot full-time anyway; talent-wise he’s definitely good enough. Meanwhile in the slot, Shaw should pick up where he left off in 2016 and have another good season as the nickelback.

The spots after Shaw are more up for grabs, but I think Dennard and McRae will ultimately get them, albeit for much different reasons. Dennard has his high draft pedigree to fall back on, and even though he’s shown just about nothing through three seasons I’d still be surprised if Cincinnati doesn’t try yet again to find him a serviceable role. McRae meanwhile has none of that working in his favor, but he did cap the preseason with a nice exclamation point (he grabbed an interception); that could give him the #5 corner spot.

Safety has Iloka and Williams as the starters when healthy, but because that health isn’t exactly pristine right now the duo of Fejedelem and Smith look to be pretty well involved and on the field decently often for a pair of backup safeties. Joining them should be Cox, who probably shouldn’t see the field much this year even with the injury concerns above him, but has displayed enough talent this offseason to be worth keeping around and developing further.

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