Cincinnati Bengals: Taking stock of team’s young talent
By Kenn Korb
Nick Vigil
2017 stats: 160 carries, 530 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs, 29 receptions (on 33 targets), 286 receiving yards, 2 fumbles (1 lost)
2017 Pro Football Focus Edge Grades (759 snaps): 35.1 overall, 32.7 run defense, 44.1 coverage, 52.3 pass rush
Coming into this year, it could’ve been argued that linebacker was the strongest position group for this team. Little did we know that the group would end up having about as many struggles as any area outside of the offensive line.
Vigil is the face of those problems. Despite having a group of seemingly starter-worthy veterans in tow (Vontaze Burfict, Kevin Minter, Vincent Rey), the Bengals decided to put Vigil into a starting role despite a pretty underwhelming rookie year. Somehow, Vigil has been even worse in 2017 though; he’s seen a more than 10 point drop in PFF grade between last year and this year — and that is in a much larger role this season.
The insistence of the Bengals to put a player who didn’t even appear to be remotely ready before this season was bad enough; letting him have the most snaps among all linebackers (and 5th-most among all Cincinnati defenders) despite consistently playing EVEN WORSE than he did before is coaching malpractice.
Needless to say, this man should not be part of the future plans for the team. Guys have been able to become useful after slow starts to careers before, but he’s done nothing to make him worth being planned around. It wouldn’t be surprising if he sticks around on the roster, but outside of some incredible offseason/preseason work he shouldn’t be more than replaceable depth.