Defensive End Competition

[|High School Harry|]

Bengals could have one of the best position battles at Defensive End 

By: Captain Obvious| 3 hour

The Cincinnati Bengals have several positions sure to put on interesting roster battles in training camp.

Running back and wide receiver looks deep as usual. The coaches will have some tough decisions to make in the secondary as well.

Then there is defensive end.

Carlos Dunlap obviously holds down one side of the line. But the battle for snaps otherwise should be ferocious, with Michael Johnson, Jordan Willis, rookie Sam Hubbard and even Carl Lawson fighting it out.

Lawson, in particular, caught the eye of Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski recently:

“In order for Lawson to be better utilized, he must be used primarily as a defensive end. The Bengals are deep at the position with Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Jordan Willis and 2018 third-round pick Sam Hubbard. Who plays will be determined by how much pressure they can create.”

The Bengals have said they want to use Lawson more standing up, but he might get listed as end anyway and will have to compete coming off his stellar rookie season.

Lawson should see more snaps than a year ago, which leaves a veteran like Willis relegated to inside pass-rushing looks. Bengals coaches have made it sound like Willis should start opposite Dunlap.

No matter how it plays out, the Bengals won’t complain about a fierce battle here at a traditional point of strength under Marvin Lewis.

 

 

[UncleEarl]

Since when is Jordan Willis a veteran?  Two seasons.  17 tackles.  1 sack.  Seriously?

 

Unless one player stands out in camp I expect a rotation at RE.  Lawson surely will get most passing down snaps.  Johnson flourished with fewer snaps last season and rushing from the inside.  That leaves Willis and Hubbard to fight it out for the rest.  Willis certainly has the edge in experience, but calling him a veteran is a stretch.