The Cincinnati Bengals made so many defensive additions during the offseason that the group looks entirely different. Let’s rank the top five players on that side of the ball heading into a huge year for the Bengals.

1. Dexter Lawrence

This is a layup. Dexter Lawrence is a former All-Pro who can completely wreck offensive lines when he is at his best. It is why the Bengals gave up a premium first-round pick for him: They believe he can help them win a Super Bowl this season, and they knew players like him do not come around very often.

He can single-handedly reshape this defense, as his impact can trickle down to every player on the field.

2. D.J. Turner

It would not be a massive surprise if, at this point next season, I write this story again and Turner is far and away the No. 1 option. He could make the jump from a good player to Pro Bowl-level or even All-Pro-level talent. The cornerback is extension-eligible and could play himself into a huge payday after this season if the Bengals continue to wait on a potential extension.

Turner and Dax Hill are among the best cornerback tandems in the NFL, and Hill nearly cracked this top-five list.

3. Bryan Cook

Cook is a model of consistency and could be up there with Dexter Lawrence as a player who could have the biggest impact on the Bengals’ defense, turning one of the worst units in the league into a potential top-15 or top-10 defense.

As Cook takes over for Geno Stone, who was dreadful for the Bengals last season, he does not have a very high bar to clear. But it should not go unnoticed how talented and disciplined Cook is, or how rarely he misses tackles, which was Stone’s biggest issue.

4. Boye Mafe

I have documented how high I am on Mafe because of his role on the Seahawks’ defensive line. He was never going to put up crazy numbers because of players such as DeMarcus Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy Jr.

He still generated a ton of pressure and quarterback hurries and has been constantly on the field, missing just three regular-season games over the past four seasons.

5. Jonathan Allen

I initially put Dax Hill at No. 5, but after thinking it over, I really think Allen’s veteran presence and experience make him a very valuable player. Yes, his sack numbers have dwindled after he missed just under half the season in 2024, but I sense there could be a resurgence of sorts for Allen in 2026 on a defensive line with a lot of proven success.