The Cincinnati Bengals have been hard at work building their roster with free-agent signings and preparing for the NFL Draft. They have also gleaned over a season’s worth of tape from their 2023 rookie class. This group produced several game-day contributors and role players who stepped up, especially late in the season. Cincinnati will rely heavily on this crop to play prominent roles in critical moments if the orange and black are to win the AFC North for the third time in four seasons. Let’s look at three Bengals sophomores to watch for in 2024.
Three Cincinnati Bengals Sophomores to Watch for in 2024
Myles Murphy
The Bengals’ EDGE is an intriguing player at 6’5″, 275 pounds who ramped up his production as the season progressed. Murphy played in all 17 games and his long arms, bend, and initial push seemed to be his calling cards en route to three sacks and 10 solo tackles in his first season in stripes. This is a solid start, and Murphy still has some untapped potential that defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will build on starting in OTAs. The hope is that Murphy will move from being a rotational piece to a starter. The Bengals won’t be afraid to kick him inside the defensive line to get a more favorable matchup if the situation dictates it next season.
Jordan Battle
Jordan Battle was a revelation in the Bengals’ safety room at a position they badly needed someone to step up. The former Alabama product showed fantastic anticipation when the ball was in the air and this football intelligence was the catalyst to Cincinnati drafting him. Battle played in all 17 games like Murphy, and ended up starting midway through the season finishing with the fifth most tackles on the team with 69 (34 solo), two sacks, and one interception to cap off a promising rookie season. With the Bengals bringing back veteran Vonn Bell for a second-stint in Cincinnati, and newcomer Geno Stone in the fold, the three will form a solid Bengals backend that was lacking in 2023.
Chase Brown
Possibly the most exciting and important player of the trio, Chase Brown spent a portion of the season on injured reserve, but when active, showed the Bengals everything they needed to see to let veteran Joe Mixon walk. Brown is lightning-quick and has the speed to change a play and the game at a moment’s notice. He strongly resembles former Bengals running back Gio Bernard, especially on screen passes. This will open another layer of the offense for the coaching staff to implement into the playbook.
Just a reminder that Chase Brown is REALLY FAST ⚡️
pic.twitter.com/63KJ4cBnz7— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 7, 2024
Brown would finish with 335 yards from scrimmage (179 rushing, 156 receiving in only 12 games. The one-two punch of the recently signed Zack Moss from Indianapolis and Brown with their contrasting styles should provide some juice to Cincinnati’s running game. This will take pressure off Burrow early in the season and possibly take this offense to the next level.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
