Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
A year ago, the Cincinnati Bengals had five former first-round cornerbacks on their roster. With Terence Newman gone to the Minnesota Vikings, the Bengals have an open competition for one of the starting corner positions. It is likely with the experience that Adam Jones has he will get the start opposite to Leon Hall. Still, with the absence of Newman, second-year CB Darqueze Dennard will have a chance to emerge in the Bengals’ secondary alongside 2012 first-rounder Dre Kirkpatrick.
In 2011, Hall signed a five-year deal and will become a free agent in 2016. He has been helping the 2014 No. 24 overall draft pick Dennard along throughout his rookie season and through this year’s OTAs. It is a possibility that the Bengals will use Dennard on the outside corner, while Hall is utilized as the nickel in the slot.
Dennard has improved his conditioning as he enters his sophomore season in order to become more NFL ready. A year ago, Dennard only saw 77 plays as a rookie, but this was mostly due to the experience of the players ahead of him. Dennard should see an increase in playing time in the 2015 season.
The Bengals have an excellent mix between veteran experience and youth at the cornerback position. In 2014, both Jones and Kirkpatrick led Bengals corners with three interceptions. Although he only played in 28 percent of the snaps last year, Kirkpatrick played well with the opportunities he had late in the season.
The Bengals finished 13th overall in pass defense in 2014 under first-year defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. The team allowed 243 yards per game and 18 touchdowns while finishing third amongst all teams with 20 interceptions.
This season the Bengals will look to improve their overall defense ,and Dennard should emerge as a playmaker in the team’s secondary with additional playing time.
Dan Miller is a NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google
