Jessie Bates Leads Way as Bengals' Secondary Ranked in Top Half of NFL

Cincinnati has plenty of new faces in the cornerback room.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Jun 11, 2021 10:48 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — The Bengals' secondary is going to look much different this season.

Their projected starters at cornerback—Trae Waynes, Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie haven't played a snap in Cincinnati. Hilton and Awuzie signed in free agency this offseason. Waynes joined the team in 2020, but missed the entire season due to a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered in training camp.

The good news is Jessie Bates has emerged as not only one of the best safeties in the game, but he's also become a leader in the locker room. His presence should make the transition easier for the veteran additions in the secondary.

Pro Football Focus likes what the Bengals did on the back end this offseason. Cincinnati's secondary is 15th in their rankings, which is better than over half the league.

^{"A collection of secondary starters that includes Trae Waynes, Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton and Vonn Bell won’t necessarily scare opposing offenses. But there aren’t many weak links in this group, either," Ben Linsey wrote. "The Bengals have done a good job of solidifying the unit through free agency over the past two offseasons.}
^{"Jessie Bates III is the star of the unit and will instill fear into quarterbacks. The 2018 second-round pick out of Wake Forest is in the conversation for best free safety in the NFL. Bates’ 12 forced incompletions in 2020 were three more than any other safety in the league."}

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The Bengals may not have a true No. 1 cornerback, but they have an elite safety and quality players around him. There's no reason why they can't take a step forward and become an above average secondary this season.

Despite being 15th, the Bengals were still behind the rest of the AFC North. The Ravens (2), Browns (3) and Steelers (12) were ranked ahead of Cincinnati.

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