Cincinnati Bengals safety Geno Stone (22) celebrates his touchdown off of an interception of a pass by Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN Names Safety as Bengals Biggest Post-Draft Weakness

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated May 8, 2025 11:26 AM ET

ESPN contributor and DVOA creator Aaron Schatz identified the biggest roster holes left for all 32 NFL teams this week and a defensive spot stood out for Cincinnati.

He has safety as the weakest position on the roster. Cincinnati did not add a safety in the draft or free agency (so far) and just made Geno Stone take a pay cut.

"Bengals fans expected an upgrade at safety during the draft, but no such luck," Schatz wrote. "Vonn Bell is gone, leaving Geno Stone and Jordan Battle as the starters. Both are solid in coverage, but they're not known as big playmakers. Stone has tackling issues, too, as his broken tackle rate of 24.2% was the third highest in the league for defenders with at least 40 solo tackles. There's also very little depth in case of an injury. Daijahn Anthony played only 11 defensive snaps last season, while Tycen Anderson played only special teams."

Battle and Stone are the only safety voices on the roster with multiple years of NFL experience.

Cincinnati currently has Stone, Battle, Andercen, Anthony, plus rookies Jaylen Key and PJ Jules in the safety room. A veteran addition at some point could be beneficial.