Crimson Tide NFL Team Rundown: Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are among the favorites in the AFC heading into 2023, but how can they dethrone Kansas City as the defending champs, and how can former Alabama players contribute?

The Cincinnati Bengals have gone from outside the playoffs looking in, to perennial AFC contender thanks to the development of star quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals made the Super Bowl in 2021, losing to Matthew Stafford and the Rams, then made the AFC Championship Game in last season before losing to the eventual champions: the Kansas City Chiefs. 

How can Cincinnati overcome the barrier in Kansas City and hoist the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in franchise history?

It all starts with keeping their Pro Bowl quarterback upright. Joe Burrow, who had to leave Thursday's practice with a calf injury, was one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL his first two seasons, leading to a torn ACL his rookie season. 

A big reason why the Bengals lost the Super Bowl to the Rams was the pressure that Los Angeles was able to regularly get on Burrow. Cincinnati's success hinges on the play of their offensive line, which might explain why they went out and signed La'el Collins in 2022 before he suffered an ACL and MCL tear against the Patriots in the Bengals win on Christmas Eve. 

This past offseason, the Bengals also signed free agent left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to safeguard Burrow's blindside. Protecting Burrow will allow him to do what he does best: stay in the pocket and read a defense so he can distribute to his superstar wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. 

The Bengals suffered a pair of big losses in the secondary due to free agency, with safety Jessie Bates III heading to the Atlanta Falcons, and Vonn Bell to the Carolina Panthers, but hope that 2021 first-round pick Dax Hill, 2019 seventh-round pick Nick Scott, and 2023 third-round pick Jordan Battle can pick where Bell and Bates left off in 2022. 

The Bengals currently roster four former members of the Crimson Tide: Offensive tackle Jonah Williams, tight end Irv Smith Jr., safety Jordan Battle, and inside linebacker Jaylen Moody. 

Williams, who wouldn't consider moving from left tackle with the Crimson Tide, will apparently have to do just after yielding 23 career sacks and 105 pressures. He made a trade request after the Bengals added Brown, but the team declined after picking up his fifth-year option. Heading into his contract year, the team wants him to try and start at right tackle. 

While Williams is a polarizing figure among Bengals fans, he still grades out around the middle of the pack as a full-time starter. Another key player to watch in all this is La'el Collins, who is coming off a major knee injury.

Irv Smith Jr. is projected to be the starter at tight end for after he signed a one-year deal following four seasons in Minnesota. In his career, Smith has 91 catches for 858 yards and nine touchdowns. His best season was in 2020 when he had 365 yards and five touchdowns. 

While it may not seem like staggering numbers, Smith was taking reps behind 10-year veteran Kyle Rudolph during his time with the Vikings. He tore his meniscus in 2021, then suffered a high ankle sprain in 2022 that sidelined him for 10 weeks. Smith is primed for a full season as a starter, with one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL as his signal caller. 

Jordan Battle is projected to have a similar role to Alabama's "star" position, and could potentially be a successor to Bates or Bell at safety, but has a rookie learning curve that must be overcome. During his time at Alabama, Battle accumulated 252 total tackles, ten passes defended, one sack, six picks, and three defensive touchdowns. 

Jaylen Moody was the type of player that Alabama loves to advertise: a player who trusted the process, and became a contributor for the Crimson Tide's defense. Moody became a starter in his final year at the Capstone, tallying 93 total tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one pick at Alabama. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent. 

Moody is the top backup at middle mike linebacker for Cincinnati, but will have a very slim margin of error if he hopes to make the Bengals 53-man roster. He's a solid candidate to sign with the Bengals practice squad for the duration of the 2023 season. 

Bengals fans should expect their team to continue their recent success in 2023, barring a significant injury to their quarterback. With the abundance of weapons at Joe Burrow's disposal, he should be viewed as an MVP candidate in 2023, and the Bengals should be in contention for the number one seed in the AFC. Cincinnati fans are justified in having Super Bowl expectations in 2023. 

Bama in the NFL: Who has Most Starts with Cincinnati Bengals?

Active Cincinnati Bengals

#27 Jordan Battle, S
#44 Jaylen Moody, LB
#81 Irv Smith, Jr., TE
#73 Jonah Williams, OT

See Also: Active Alabama Crimson Tide Players by Team