It's the start of a new chapter for the Cincinnati Bengals. Long considered the joke of the AFC North, the team made a roaring statement in the 2021 season. They took control of their division in the regular season. Then, Joe Burrow and co. continued to shock the world by storming their way to the Super Bowl.
The Bengals eventually lost in the final game of the season, but expectations are through the roof for this squad. They acquired big names to beef up their offensive line, and addressed some of their issues through the draft as well.
Cincinnati is currently poised as the favorites to win this division again. Let's look at which players can break out this season for the Bengals and help them return to the Super Bowl once more.
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Bengals Breakout Players for 2022 NFL Season
Jackson Carman
Did you know that the Bengals' offensive line last season was bad?
If you hadn't heard already, well, now you know. The Bengals' sub-par offensive line play has been a talking point during the entire season. They were decent in allowing the running game to thrive, yes. However, they did an awful job protecting their quarterback, Joe Burrow. The Ohio State QB took a total of 70 sacks during the entire season, which is a definite red flag for any team.
It was not secret that the Bengals would be looking to improve their offensive line for the 2022 season. They went and got a bunch of big, beefy linemen to protect Burrow. However, it could be an in-house addition that puts this offensive line over the hump.
Jackson Carman is currently the favorite to win the left guard role for the Bengals in the 2022 season. Last season, Carman was less than spectacular, as he was a key reason for the offensive line's struggles. However, this season, he's going to be lining up with guys like La'El Collins, Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa. With such talented names around him, we could see the sophomore tackle break out into one of better protectors in the league.
One of the biggest losses of the Bengals' off-season was CJ Uzomah. Uzomah was a vital part of the offense, as he was a great release valve for Burrow when defenses keyed in on their star-studded receiving core. His departure left a rather large hole in Cincinnati's attacking plans for the season.
The Bengals immediately addressed their sudden hole at tight end with a savvy signing. Former Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst was signed by the team during the off-season. Hurst, a 2018 first-round pick, struggled to carve a role in Atlanta and Baltimore (the team that drafted him first). Simply put, he just wasn't given an opportunity to shine.
In Cincinnati, Hurst has a legitimate chance to flash his first-round pedigree. The three-headed monster of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd will command insane defensive attention from his opponents. Assuming that the Bengals' offensive line lives up to expectations, Hurst will have plenty of pass-catching opportunities for him to break out as a legitimate NFL starter.
BJ Hill
Larry Ogunjobi's injury in the Wild Card game looked like a death blow to the Bengals. The former Cleveland Browns defensive lineman was one of most threatening players on defense. Losing him could've been detrimental to their run.
Luckily for the team, they had a lurking monster looking for an opportunity to pounce. BJ Hill stepped in for Ogunjobi in the following games, and he proved to be a menace for the Bengals. He recorded 1.5 sacks in his three starts, and a clutch interception against Patrick Mahomes in the AFC Championship Game.
Ogunjobi's departure opens up a huge opportunity for BJ Hill to breakout in the 2022 season. The defensive lineman has shown that can make the big plays when needed. Now, he'll have a full season (and a great contract!) to prove that he can still be a dominant presence on a budding defensive unit.
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