Can These Four Bengals Defenders Turn Cincinnati Into a Top-10 Defense?

The Bengals’ defense has been one of the hottest topics of the NFL offseason, as the additions the team made and a big step forward in 2026 could turn Cincinnati into a Super Bowl contender and one of the best teams in the league.

When you look at Cincinnati’s defense, which players face the most pressure to help turn this unit into a great defense by reaching the top half of the NFL or even cracking the top 10? Joe Goodberry and Jake Liscow mentioned DJ Turner and Dax Hill as the duo that could have the biggest impact. They raised the possibility of the Bengals having two top-25, or even top-20, cornerbacks, which would go a long way toward building a great defense.

I agree that there is a lot of pressure on Dax Hill and DJ Turner to take a step forward and help turn this unit into a good defense. They may have more pressure than anyone else on the roster. The Bengals didn’t make any additions at cornerback outside of drafting Tacario Davis, and they could benefit from both Turner and Hill trying to prove their worth while playing their way into contract extensions.

Another player is Bryan Cook, who comes over from the Kansas City Chiefs and has already become a leader on the defense, taking over for one of the most respected players in the Bengals’ 2025 defensive backfield, Geno Stone.

In a way, Cook has an easier job because the bar is relatively low to outperform Stone, limit opposing passing attacks and make tackles in the run game. However, he plays a very important role in the Bengals’ defense and is widely expected to spearhead the defensive backfield’s success.

A fourth player is obvious: Barrett Carter. Carter will wear the green dot in the Bengals’ defense, and the front office expects him to take a significant step forward. He simply can’t play at the level he did in 2025, and the excuse of being a rookie easing into the league no longer applies. Yes, he and Demetrius Knight were put in a difficult position in 2025 because so much responsibility was placed on young players like them, but their ability to hold their own can have a ripple effect on the rest of the defense.

If DJ Turner, Dax Hill, Bryan Cook and Barrett Carter all have strong 2026 seasons, Cincinnati could develop into a top-10 defense and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.