No matter what happens elsewhere on defense, the Cincinnati Bengals safeties are going to look very different than last year. To nobody’s surprise, Jessie Bates left in free agency. To many’s surprise, Vonn Bell joined him in the NFC South and departed for the Carolina Panthers. Losing Bates and Bell is going to hurt. However, the guys they have in the safeties room will be able to pick up the slack.
Dax Hill, Nick Scott, Jordan Battle, and Tycen Anderson are up to the challenge.
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Despite Offseason Losses, the Bengals Safeties Will Be Fine
Replacing Production
Last year, Bates and Bell were quite productive. Of course, it was not either player’s best season in stripes but they made a mark. In total, the pair recorded 148 tackles, five for loss, eight interceptions, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a recovered fumble.
The four safeties expected to top the depth chart? Only two played NFL football last year. They amassed a grand total of 102 tackles (Scott: 86, Hill: 16), and only Scott recorded one for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles while Hill recorded exactly none of those.
The pair were stalwarts on the defense, recording 9,292 career snaps. Meanwhile, Hill comes in with 131 defensive snaps and Scott has 1,605, and 984 of those were last year.
Bates ended 2022 with a 76.8 PFF grade and Bell earned a 66.3. Meanwhile, Hill posted a 58.1 and Scott earned 54.2. Needless to say, it makes sense that there is an expectation of regression from the Bengals safeties.
Allow me to Introduce…
The Bengals safeties are going to have to step up but when they get started, fans will have to get accustomed to new names.
The headliner of the group is Dax Hill. Hill is the former first-round pick of the Bengals from the 2022 class who is uber-athletic and flexible. Of his 131 career snaps, Hill played 80 snaps in the slot. At Michigan, he was a slot corner. However, he has the athleticism to translate to safety. Hill has great closing speed and is able to make the plays that Bates was able to. Plus, he’s able to come downhill or play as an extra corner. Flexibility is key in Lou Anarumo’s defense and Hill is perfect for it. He’s set to break out for the Bengals this year.
The lone free agent addition was Nick Scott from the Los Angeles Rams. While Hill may be considered the Bates replacement, Scott is the Bell replacement. He spent four years in LA and got his starting experience down the stretch n route to the franchise’s Super Bowl run in 2021 and then took a step last year. He’s more of a box safety with a strength in run defense. The former seventh-round pick can congest the middle of the field and break up receivers from the ball. He will be a step up from Bell in terms of coverage.
The third piece of the likely rotation is the third-round rookie, Jordan Battle. If there are any positive words life in the English language, the defensive coaches are going to use them to praise Battle. As Scott was sidelined with his injury, Battle stepped up in practice and his teammates have taken notice. Despite being a rookie, Battle has a very high football IQ and is a very mature voice in the room. He was a four-year starter at Alabama. That means something.
Finally, the final member of the Bengals safeties group was often forgotten due to his injury last year. Tycen Anderson came to Cincinnati via Toledo in the draft last year. As a fifth-round pick in 2022, Anderson was not going to be the guy to take over the starting job but he had the athleticism that made the coaches and front office trade up eight spots (which, again, is not something the Bengals often do despite this being the second in this draft) to grab him. Patience was seemingly rewarded as Anderson has looked good this summer. It all culminated by him making the most of his opportunity in the first preseason game of the year. Anderson ended up with three tackles and two interceptions. The first of those went back 43 yards for a touchdown.
The Bengals have something cooking with these safeties.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) August 12, 2023
Reasons for Optimism
At their best, the Bates-Bell duo at the back of the defense was among the best in the league. Unfortunately, the pair haven’t been at their best. Their loss will take a toll and will, rightfully, have most people believe that this is the weak spot of the defense. Despite that, the Bengals safeties will be fine.
Allowing Hill to have free reign on the defense will reap dividends. Pairing him with the downhill threat of Scott or even Battle and Anderson will give the underrated corners help over the top.
Those corners are going to make these safeties’ jobs much easier. Chidobe Awuzie is going to be back and he is a bona fine CB1. Once he shakes off the rust of the ACL surgery, he will be ready to be left on an island. Cam Taylor-Britt has taken a massive step from his impressive rookie season. D.J. Turner may just be a rookie but his athleticism and ungodly speed will make it difficult to keep him off the field. The talent out wide will make the new safeties’ jobs much easier.
There is a reason the Bengals were quiet in free agency. They trust this group. Adding Battle was just a bonus. He fell into their lap and allowed them to continue their trend of retooling the defense with young, cheap talent.
Worrying about the Bengals safeties may seem justified right now. However, those worries will be put to bed as the season gets underway.
Main Image: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
