{"id":257451,"date":"2025-12-05T14:05:25","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T19:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=257451"},"modified":"2025-12-05T14:41:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T19:41:43","slug":"cedric-johnson-is-contributing-to-the-bengals-defensive-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/05\/cedric-johnson-is-contributing-to-the-bengals-defensive-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Cedric Johnson Is Contributing to the Bengals’ Defensive Line"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sophomore Cedric Johnson<\/a> returned to the defensive line rotation after a calf strain suffered in training camp. He has made an immediate impact for the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>, particularly on a defense that badly needed juice off the edge. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft out of Ole Miss<\/a>, and he was impressive as a rookie, showing flashes of a quick first step off the line of scrimmage. Johnson has good length and size at 6’3″ and 264 pounds, as he played in nine games<\/a> in 2024 with six tackles and one sack. Al Golden is currently looking for all possible contributors without All-Pro Trey Hendrickson in the lineup to support Joe Burrow<\/a> in keeping points off the board. The former Rebel returned against the New England Patriots<\/a> and had a solid debut in creating several pressures on Drake Maye. Cincinnati hopes these trends continue not only for Johnson but also for the entire defense.<\/p>\n

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Bengals defense takes down the Ravens ball carrier during their game against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Thanksgiving Thursday November 27, 2025. The Bengals won the game with a final score of 33-14.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cedric Johnson Is Contributing to the Bengals’ Defensive Line<\/h2>\n

College Days<\/h3>\n

Johnson was a solid college prospect while in Oxford. He saved his best season for last, and as a senior<\/a>, saw action in 12 games with 10 starts on the Ole Miss defensive line and earned honorable mention All-SEC accolades by the College Football Network. In 2023, he tallied 40 total tackles on the season, with 6.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, and led the team with 12 quarterback hurries.<\/p>\n

After being drafted, Johnson was asked about how versatile a player he is and noted<\/a>,\u00a0 \u201cVery versatile. I\u2019ve played a zero-technique, three-technique, all kinds from a zero to a five. I can do it all. I feel like I\u2019m going to add a lot of versatility to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baby Steps<\/h3>\n

It’s a shame that Johnson was injured before the season began because he showed potential as a rookie, and it seemed the team had plans to showcase him more in 2025. While speed is his calling card, he can also win with a powerful push that’s underrated and was evident against the Baltimore Ravens.<\/p>\n

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Didn\u2019t count because of a penalty in the secondary but Bengals rookie Cedric Johnson (#52) showcasing his power here.<\/p>\n

Sixth-round pick out of Ole Miss has shined in preseason. pic.twitter.com\/goh6Au9J0i<\/a><\/p>\n

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 23, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n