Jonathan Allen Gives Bengals Defensive Line Honest Grade After Start of Training Camp

The Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line has been one of the best units on the entire team through the first two weeks of training camp. Dexter Lawrence has been tearing up the Bengals' interior offensive line, giving Ted Karras, Dylan Fairchild, and Dalton Risner fits consistently.

Bengals offensive line coach Scott Peters told Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie’s Chalkboard that Cincinnati isn’t exactly game-planning against Lawrence during 11-on-11, which is leading to a lot of one-on-one matchups that Lawrence usually wins. Peters said if they were facing Lawrence on a game day, it would look very different.

Cincinnati defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was asked before Friday’s practice what letter grade he would give the defensive line through two weeks. Allen was realistic and gave them a B. It isn’t exactly a shocking grade from the veteran defensive lineman, who has stepped up as a leader through the first few months of his time with the Bengals.

Much of the message around this 2026 offseason has been the infusion of leadership from guys like Lawrence, Allen, Bryan Cook and others. Also, Joe Burrow has stepped up as a more demanding, vocal leader with high standards.

Allen is setting the bar high, mirroring the leadership style of Burrow, who is never satisfied.

Cashius Howell has made a big impression as well. Footage from a recent practice showed the speed rusher use his strength and power to bull-rush left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and push him into the backfield, too close to Joe Burrow for some people’s liking.

Boye Mafe has been alongside Dexter Lawrence as one of the more consistently productive players of training camp after signing a three-year, $60 million contract this past offseason. After the more headline-worthy additions of Dexter Lawrence and Bryan Cook, Mafe’s acquisition was kind of forgotten about, but he’s proving why Cincinnati invested so much in him. He has played very good, intelligent football and shows he can pair experience with talent as an edge rusher.

If I had to give the Bengals' defensive line a grade, it would be A-. The amount of trouble they have given an offensive line that should be one of the better units on the team this year is very impressive. It will be interesting to see how fans react if Dexter Lawrence gets off to a slow start this season after he pulls way more double teams than he will face in training camp, but we still have a while before that could be an issue.