The play of the Bengals’ secondary will be crucial to their success in 2024. After permitting the most spectacular plays of any NFL club in 2023, it needs to do better. Even so, there were some positive aspects. Jordan Battle, a rookie safety, is one of those shining stars. Battle was recently voted the Bengals’ most underappreciated player by Pro Football Focus. The PFF article’s author, Zoltán Buday, notes that Battle started in Week 11 and finished the last eight weeks of the NFL season with the ninth-highest grade (80.7) among all safeties. In addition to collecting 71 tackles, including 43 solo, stopping five passes, recording two sacks, and intercepting a pass in the season finale against Cleveland, the Bengals’ third-round draft pick in 2023 had a strong rookie campaign. Three rookies were included in PFF’s ranking: Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks of the Green Bay Packers. Originating from Cincinnati, Pace participated in football at Colerain High School and Miami and Cincinnati Universities. Having signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans, Chidobe Awuzie will alter the look of the Bengals’ secondary once more in 2019. The Bengals’ acquisition of safety Geno Stone, who led the NFL in interceptions in 2023 while playing for the Baltimore Ravens, was one of the biggest moves made during the free agency period. The Bengals also signed veteran safety Vonn Bell to a six-million-dollar, one-year contract. The Bengals’ secondary gains skill and experience with these additions. It’s unclear where that places Battle in the rotation. However, Battle showed himself to be a bright spot in a secondary that faltered after Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III left after the 2022 campaign. Dax Hill, a defensive back in his third year, is now playing cornerback for the Bengals, demonstrating the versatility of the secondary under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Could that give Battle a position with more snaps at safety? In all of that, how does Vonn Bell fit in? Still, in 2023, Battle made an impression on a youthful secondary. With a season under his belt and a stronger and more capable defensive line this year, Battle may have more opportunity to intercept passes rather than have to make tackles. In 2023, Battle displayed glimpses during the preseason. Additionally, a window of opportunity opened for the Alabama third-round draft pick to demonstrate his abilities as the season progressed and injuries and weaknesses mounted in the secondary. He exceeded expectations by much, setting higher standards for 2024. Entering the 2024 season, Mike Hilton, Cam Taylor-Britt, and Stone lead the secondary. The Bengals will be mentioned in the scouting reports of rival clubs. Although Battle hasn’t had as much experience with those scouting reports, he can still have an influence there. Teams don’t anticipate him having an impact on games similar to the Bengals’ supporting stars. Battle is therefore underappreciated. That is advantageous.
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