Help in the trenches.

The Cincinnati Bengals made several major splashes in the opening week of free agency, one of which was landing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on a two-year, $26 million contract.

Rankins brings the Bengals some much-needed help on the interior of the defensive line. Honestly, the Bengals have lacked an interior pass rush since Larry Ogunjobi departed after the 2021 season.

Rankins, 29, comes to Cincinnati from the Houston Texans, where last season, he registered 37 tackles (29) solo and six sacks. At an average annual value of $13 million over two years, Rankins sets himself up to test the market again in two seasons and maybe a much larger deal if he performs to his potential.

The Bengals continue to invest in their defense after a disastrous 2023 campaign that saw them among the bottom of the league in most categories. Rankins will help on the interior and newly signed safety Geno Stone should help with coverage on the back end.

As DJ Reader heads off to the Detroit Lions, the need for a nose tackle remains. Rankins is more similar to BJ Hill, so while it’s good to see the pass rush upgraded, the Bengals still need an interior run-stuffer.

All-in-all, Rankins fills a void in the middle of the Bengals defensive line and should give fans much to be excited about.

How do you feel about the Rankins signing? Let us know in the poll below and in the comments section!

Bengals take a look at safety hailing from Jessie Bates’ alma mater

Bengals DB coach was at Wake Forest checking out their newest safety prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.

With the addition of Geno Stone in free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals safety position looks pretty full.

With two recent early draft picks in Jordan Battle and Dax Hill, plus Stone signed to take more of the free safety snaps, the Bengals should have a good three-man rotation. Adding in a healthy Tycen Anderson makes the Bengals’ depth look good as well.

However, the Bengals seem like they may not be fully settled at the position. A Bengals secondary coach was reportedly at the Wake Forest pro day to watch safety Malik Mustapha.

Mustapha may come from the same school as Jessie Bates, but he played the position very differently, with more snaps down in the box than in the free safety position.

PRO-DAY UPDATE: DB coaches from Ravens, Bengals, & Patriots were at @WakeFB today to workout SS Malik Mustapha, who didn't participate in Combine testing due to injury.

5102v
206v
4.52 40-yd
41.5 VJ 👀 (>any Combine DS)
10-6 BJ

Urgent & explosive player. Fun to watch. T.J.… pic.twitter.com/Z2vBnT58DB

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 28, 2024

The Bengals could be considering adding another safety for a few reasons, the main one being the fourth safety, Tycen Anderson, suffering a torn ACL in Week 8 of last year. Not even at the halfway point of the season could point to a beginning-of-season return, but it can be tough to rely on players coming off ACL injuries, as sometimes they can come back and play but won’t have all of the athleticism until their second year removed from injury.

Another reason the Bengals could be looking to add another safety is the versatility that Dax Hill brings. With Hill seemingly being able to play some slot corner and cover tight ends and running backs, it could open up a lot more versatile alignments.

And if the Bengals are inclined, it could allow them to carry just five cornerbacks and five safeties.