The defending AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals begin training camp next week on the grounds adjacent to Paycor Stadium. They will look to build on another successful season after coming agonizingly close to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. Even though the Bengals came up a little short, they had several rookies led by Cordell Volson, Dax Hill, and Cam Taylor-Britt see significant playing time in catapulting them to a second postseason act with the Kansas City Chiefs. Let’s take a sophomore stock watch of last year’s rookie class.
Cincinnati Bengals 2023 Sophomore Stock Watch
Dax Hill (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Hill had a productive 2022 season, where his opportunities gradually increased. The former Michigan standout had a solid postseason for the Bengals, playing in 15 games at slot cornerback and gunner on special teams. Hill’s stock should rise as he was the youngest player on the team in 2022 at 21 years old. Hill is an ascending player and should start in 2023. Look for Cincinnati to use his speed as an effective blitzer on passing downs.
Cam Taylor-Britt (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
Taylor-Britt started 2022 on the PUP list with an abdominal injury. The Bengals then eased him into the lineup where he would eventually follow the blueprint of his draftmate, Hill, playing more as the season went on. Although Taylor-Britt started sluggishly, he would ultimately redeem himself as one of the Bengals best defenders in the postseason as Pro Football Focus graded him the best player in coverage during the AFC Divisional win in Buffalo and the conference championship game loss in Kansas City. Cincinnati will have a retooled secondary in 2023 with the departures of Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. Taylor-Britt will have plenty of opportunities as a starting corner and possibly see playing time at one of the safety spots.
Zach Carter (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
Carter played in 16 games (starting one) as a rotational defensive tackle for coordinator Lou Anarumo. The results were a mixed bag, and the learning curve at times seemed steep. The Bengals were persistent in getting Carter consistently on the field. Still holding this stock, as this season is crucial for Carter’s development. The Bengals are counting on him to take strides in adding strength and agility to rush the passer from the interior of the line.
Cordell Volson (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Buy
The shining star in the Bengals 2022 draft class came in the fourth round in the form of left guard Cordell Volson. The North Dakota State product started in 16 games for Cincinnati and immediately turned heads following OTA’s and training camp in 2022. Volson was then thrust into helping to protect Joe Burrow and improve the running game from the prior season. The change from under-center runs to those out of shotgun played right into Volson’s wheelhouse being a road grader in displacing defenders with the benefit of extra time out of the gun. Volson should improve the most in pass protection with another season to refine his technique.
Tycen Anderson (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
Anderson was drafted as a safety out of the University of Toledo and missed his entire rookie campaign with a hamstring injury. The Bengals raved about Anderson’s speed and coverage ability as he ran an official 4.36-second 40-yard draft at the 2022 NFL combine. Even with the deck stacked against him, you can never have enough quality defensive backs on your roster. For this reason, hold your stock of Anderson for one more season.
Jeff Gunter (Buy/Sell/Hold)
Hold
The battle will be fierce for Gunter in training camp to make the team. This isn’t new to Gunter as he fought an injury last preseason and still made the opening-day roster playing in 10 games with 37 defensive snaps and 78 on special teams. Cincinnati will likely use Gunter as a rotational piece at EDGE in training camp to see if he has enough juice to stick. Similar to Anderson, hold your stock at the moment.
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