5 breakout stars to watch for Cincinnati Bengals in 2020

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 22: C.J. Uzomah #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches the ball in front of Jerome Baker #55 of the Miami Dolphins during an NFL game on December 22, 2019 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Bengals 38-35 in overtime. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 08: Drew Lock #3 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball as D.J. Reader #98 of the Houston Texans and Zach Cunningham #41 pursue during the second half at NRG Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Denver defeated Houston 28-24. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. DT D.J. Reader

In recent years, Cincinnati Bengals have been a sieve on defense. And one of the most disturbing aspects is the fact that despite the presence of a perennial pro bowl defensive tackle (Geno Atkins) and standout end (Carlos Dunlap) on front, the club has been pushed around – especially when it comes to trying to stop the run.

In 2015, the final year of the franchise’s five-year playoff run last decade, only six clubs in the NFL allowed fewer yards on the ground. Since then, the Bengals have finished 21st, 30th, 29th and dead last in the league, respectively, in rushing defense.

Enter nose tackle D.J. Reader, late of the Houston Texans. He inked a four-year, 53-million deal (via Spotrac) with Cincinnati this year and will pair inside with Atkins hoping to cure what ails Zac Taylor’s defense. The 2016 fifth-round pick from Clemson University played and started a combined 45 regular-season contests over the past three seasons. He finished ’19 with 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks and only six players in the league earned a better grade as an interior defender from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) than Reader.

Never a Pro Bowler with the Texans, the 6’3”, 347-pound stopper figures to make an immediate impact for the defensively-starved Bengals.

Next: No. 3

Home/Cincinnati Bengals