Five New Cincinnati Bengals Players That Should Succeed in 2022

The Cincinnati Bengals shocked the world by coming within three points of a Super Bowl victory last season. However, no one will be surprised if the Bengals are contenders this fall after a busy offseason.

Cincinnati made several massive additions to its AFC-winning roster. While there’s no guarantee all of them will pan out, at least five of them should be put in a position for immediate success in their first season with the Orange and Black.

RG Alex Cappa

The Bengals’ biggest offseason need was the offensive line, something they addressed with three newcomers. Among them, Cappa fetched the largest contract, joining the Cats on a four-year, $35 million deal.

Before joining Cincinnati, Cappa was a starting guard on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old became a starter in 2019 and started every game for the Bucs in the last two seasons, including their Super Bowl victory in the 2020 season.

Cappa has a core injury that is sidelining him for a few weeks, but all indications point to him being ready to play this fall. When he does take the field, he’ll bring exceptional toughness and snarl to an O-line that will need to put every ounce of strength into protecting Joe Burrow.

CB/S Dax Hill

Ask most draft experts about landing Dax Hill with the 31st pick, and they’ll tell you Cincy got a steal at the end of the first round. 

The Michigan standout was viewed as a top-20 pick heading into this year’s draft. He has exceptional traits and versatility that allow him to play either safety spot or nickel cornerback. Matt Miller of ESPN even compared Hill to five-time Pro Bowler Eric Berry.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is the perfect coach for Hill and will be able to use him all over the field. While his future starting spot may depend on Jessie Bates’ next contract, there’s no doubt the rookie will be in a position to succeed on day one.

TE Hayden Hurst

Following a career year, C.J. Uzomah cashed in on a three-year deal with the New York Jets. This left the Bengals with a hole at tight end before signing Hayden Hurst to a one-year pact.

Hurst is on his third team in five years after two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons. While he’s never been an everyday starter, he registered 571 yards and six touchdowns while making just nine starts in 2020. For perspective, Uzomah’s best season saw him rack up 493 yards and five scores in 16 starts last year.

Even though he’s not a great blocker, Hurst is an above-average pass-catcher who rarely drops any balls. The former first-round pick should form instant chemistry with the accurate Burrow from the jump.

RT La’el Collins

Like Cappa, La’el Collins is a big-ticket acquisition made by Cincinnati this spring. The Bengals signed the former Dallas Cowboys tackle to a three-year, $21 million deal.

Off-the-field concerns forced Collins to go undrafted in 2015. But there’s a reason he’s been a staple on Dallas’ elite offensive line since his rookie year. Whether it was at guard or right tackle, the 28-year-old has been an effective blocker for the entirety of his NFL career.

Cincinnati is hoping his penalties (nine in 2021) go down. But moving from Dallas to a less-pressurized situation with the Bengals should bode well for the talented Collins.

DT Zach Carter

After addressing the offensive line in free agency, the Bengals targeted defensive players early in the draft. They looked at improving the secondary in the first two rounds before drafting Carter in the third round.

At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Carter has the size and athleticism that allows him to play on the inside or outside on the edge. The Bengals will likely push the Florida Gator on the inside, which makes him a solid backup to B.J. Hill and DJ Reader.

Carter is surrounded by veterans around the line that will show him the ropes. Given his versatility, he’ll be able to plug into any D-line spot, particularly if it’s as an injury replacement.

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