The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of young talent on their team.
Some of those young players have proven themselves to be stars.
Others have not yet lived up to their potential.
If the team is to make a run this year, they will need a number of guys to step up and have breakout seasons.
Here are some candidates.
Myles Murphy
The 2023 first-round pick came to life late last season, showing the pass-rushing ability that the Bengals were looking for in the highly athletic player out of Clemson.
Still, the Bengals feel
he has a lot to prove, which is partly why they declined his fifth-year option. Hopefully, Murphy makes them regret that and puts up double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.
Erick All Jr.
The tight end out of Iowa can block and catch, and he earned Joe Burrow’s trust early.
He put up 20 catches for 158 yards in nine games his rookie year before an ACL injury, his second in two years.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t seen the field since then. But if he’s completely healthy, he could end up earning a lot of snaps by season’s end.
Demetrius Knight Jr.
The linebacker had a disappointing rookie year, but there’s a reason the Bengals drafted him in the second round despite him being an older college player: He has good instincts.
Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff are banking on Knight developing. And, fortunately, he has the mindset to turn that into motivation. If he can do a good job of patrolling the middle of the field, especially now with the support of a solid d-line, Knight could take a big step forward.
Now, you tell us.
Who do you predict will be the Bengals’ breakout player of 2026?
