Sports Illustrated ranks Bengals defensive trio bottom in NFL

It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals defense has struggled in the 2023 season. Ranked 31st in the NFL with 374.6 yards allowed per game, Lou Anarumo had his work cut out for him this offseason to getting the defense back to the level of play that helped it make deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2022.

The addition of players like Geno Stone and Sheldon Rankins will certainly help, but it's still unclear how they'll replace the run-stuffing ability of the now-defunct DJ Reader.

Veterans like Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson and Cam Taylor-Britt are back in the fold to help make things right, but Sports Illustrated certainly doesn't seem to believe they're among the best in the league. In a recent article, they ranked the “defensive triplets,” who are the team's best rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks.

The trio of Hendrickson, Wilson and Taylor-Britt was ranked 25th.

“The Bengals received some good news when Hendrickson rescinded his trade request this offseason,” Gilberto Manzano said. “He has been one of the most productive rushers in the NFL since leaving New Orleans for Cincinnati in 2021. Wilson is another consistent playmaker in Lou Anarumo's defense, recording 135 total tackles last season. Taylor-Britt, a 2022 second-round pick, could be on the verge of a breakout season after recording four interceptions last year.

The Bengals gave up more yards than all but one NFL team, but they seemed to tighten up in the red zone and keep teams out of the end zone, as they allowed 22.6 points per game. While he wasn't great at 21st in the NFL last season, look for the Bengals defense to keep opponents from finding terror again this season.

Perhaps this could motivate the Bengals defense to right the ship this season.