Cincinnati Bengals: Ranking This Year's Defensive Players

Coming off a season in which their defensive unit ranked seventh in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have a defense that features young stars as well as veterans.

The Bengals relied on depth on their defensive line last season, and they were able to wear opposing offensive lines down by rotating in fresh players.

After reaching the postseason in 2011, the team will need to replace players on the defensive line. Frostee Rucker signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Jonathan Fanene reached an agreement with the New England Patriots.

Both players helped the Bengals stop the run, so the remaining players will need to step up and take their place.

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has done a great job of getting the most of the unit as a whole. If he can get some of the underachieving players to live up to their potential, this defense will continue to be one of the best in the league.

Players on this list are ranked based on last season. Some players may be in a position battle, so those players could lose their spots.    

No. 11: Taylor Mays, SS

Longtime safety Chris Crocker will not be back with the team in 2012, so Taylor Mays will need to step in and be productive.

After being acquired from San Francisco last year, Mays did not see much action in Cincinnati. 

He dealt with an injury for part of the season, and he only got on the field in about half of the team's games last year. He needs to stay healthy because the Bengals do not have much depth at safety.

The former second-round pick has the skill set to be a good safety, but he has yet to prove why he was a high pick.

No. 10: Rey Maualuga, MLB

After ESPN.com reported he avoided a suspension in 2010 for his DUI, linebacker Rey Maualuga faces a possible suspension after Fox 19's (Cincinnati) Ethan Goldsmith reported Maualuga's legal problems after being cited in a bar fight earlier this year. 

The former second-round pick has shown glimpses of being great, but he has not been able to put together a full season of greatness.

Against the Houston Texans in Week 14, he led the Bengals defense in a tough 20-19 loss. In the game, he forced two fumbles and recovered one. He knocked the ball out of the hands of Houston's Ben Tate at the goal line, and it shifted the momentum of the game. If not for a crazy ending, the Bengals would have won the game because of it.

He was good against the run last season, but he struggled in passing situations.

His off-the-field problems may cost him some games, so he will need to produce when he enters a game for the first time this season. 

No. 9: Thomas Howard, OLB

For a guy who led the team in tackles in his first season with the team, Thomas Howard did not receive much attention in 2011.

Overshadowed by young players, the 28-year-old linebacker quietly had himself a good season in Cincinnati. When Keith Rivers injured his wrist, Howard stepped in and helped the Bengals solidify their linebacking corps. Now that Rivers is a member of the New York Giants, Howard will need to continue to play well.

With 99 tackles for the season, he seemed to be in the middle of everything. Like most players on the team, he was committed to stopping the run.

When it came to passing situations, he was adequate. Without an interception and only four passes defended, he has room to improve this season.

No. 8: Michael Johnson, DE

The guy with the most potential on this defense would be Michael Johnson. 

His six sacks last season gave Cincinnati fans reason to be optimistic about the future of the defensive line. He would be higher on this list, but he was unable to earn the starting position last season. Now that Rucker is gone, Johnson should be inserted into the lineup.

His athletic ability helps him get to the quarterback, especially against a tired offensive line.

Not only did he get to the quarterback, but he also recorded an interception last season. He brings different skills to the defense, and he is able to bring versatility for Zimmer to utilize.

If necessary, Johnson would be able to shift to linebacker. He is an insane athlete, and he has a bright future ahead of him. 

No. 7: Reggie Nelson, FS

The safety positions gave Cincinnati problems last season, and Reggie Nelson was part of the reason.

He was actually pretty good last season, but so was the rest of the defense. His inconsistencies moved him down on this list because he had games where he was not productive.

After signing a four-year contract in the offseason, Nelson will look to build on his 2011 campaign.

Including the playoffs, he recorded three sacks on the season. With four interceptions and two forced fumbles, he did a good job of creating turnovers. 

In Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, he returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. 

With an improved secondary, his job will be easier in 2012. When some of the pressure is removed from his shoulders, Nelson will be able to play more aggressively and make big plays.

No. 6: Nate Clements, CB

During his first season in Cincinnati, Nate Clements was an impressive addition for the Bengals.

After Cincinnati's No.1 cornerback went down with an injury in Week 10, he stepped up his game. Through the first 10 weeks of the season, he did not have a single interception. During the rest of the season, he managed to get two interceptions.

ESPN.com's Jamie Hensley suggests the Bengals may release Clements, but that would be a mistake. Even with rookie Dre Kirkpatrick joining the team, Clements can still play and contribute.

Terence Newman and Jason Allen will join Kirkpatrick, so the Bengals have plenty of depth at cornerback. 

Clements consistently made tackles and provided the team with a reliable corner. He was sometimes the best player in the secondary, and he now has to battle for a starting spot.

No. 5: Domata Peko, NT

While leading the AFC North's best defensive line in tackles, Domata Peko started to become a very good defensive lineman.

Since he only recorded 2.5 sacks last season, he could improve his pass-rushing ability. If the defensive line is able to get to the quarterback even more this season, the secondary will be able to get more turnovers.

On the defensive line, his 66 tackles led the way. He turned into a great run-stopper for Cincinnati, so he proved to be valuable.

With Fanene and Rucker gone, Peko will need to stay on the field more this season. His presence makes it tough for opposing teams to run the football.

No. 4: Manny Lawson, OLB

Howard's numbers may look better, but Manny Lawson improved as the season went on.

Starting in Week 10, he was a dominant force for the defense. He provided consistent tackling from the linebacker position, and he was a terrific run-stopper.

His 1.5 sacks provided Zimmer with the ability to let him rush the passer, but he was arguably the best pass defender out of all of Cincinnati's linebackers.

The 2006 first-round draft pick hopes to be even better this season. ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley reported he only signed a one-year contract this offseason, so the 28-year-old will have the incentive to put up big numbers this season.

He is another player on this defense who brings great athletic ability, so he is able to do many things for this young defense.

No. 3: Carlos Dunlap, DE

When he is healthy, Carlos Dunlap is the best player on the field for the Bengals.

However, a hamstring injury kept him out of four games. Even with the injury, he put up great numbers after Week 8.

In his final six games of the regular season, Dunlap recorded 4.5 sacks. He had 9.5 sacks during his rookie season in 2010, so there is plenty of reason to expect great things from him.

He only started one game in 2011, but he should be able to earn a starting position this season.

Dunlap gives the Bengals a legitimate pass-rusher on the defensive line, and he will post outstanding numbers in 2012. 

No. 2: Leon Hall, CB

A Week 10 injury cut Leon Hall's season short, but he was great in the nine games he played.

After an Achilles injury, the team will need him to fully recover before this season starts. 

With two interceptions and seven passes defended, he started to turn himself into a shutdown corner.

After being a first-round pick in 2007, he has not disappointed. In 2010, Hall and Jonathan Joseph formed one of the best cornerback combinations in the NFL. When Joseph left, Hall took accepted the challenge and took his place.

Injuries hurt the Bengals last season, especially with Hall and Dunlap. If those two stay healthy in 2012, this defense will be the best in the division.

Hall makes quarterbacks think twice before throwing his way, and the improved secondary will keep him fresh.

No. 1: Geno Atkins, DT

After a surprisingly great 2011 season, Geno Atkins was named to his first Pro Bowl.

He led all defensive tackles in sacks with 7.5, and he added to that total with one in the postseason. He came out of nowhere to have a great season, so he needs to show he can follow it up with a great season.

As he did not record more than one sack in any game, consistency was the key for Atkins. He provided the ability to stop the run, and he managed to get 47 tackles to go with his sacks.

This defensive line is one of the most athletic lines in the NFL. Johnson and Dunlap provide great athleticism on the ends, and Atkins is able to get through the middle of offensive lines to sack the quarterback.

The Bengals will need another great season from Atkins, but he will get help as the defense gains more experience.