The Cincinnati Bengals may already have their answer at slot corner.
According to Dan Hoard, veteran defensive back Jalen Davis will enter training camp as the favorite to start inside for new defensive coordinator Al Golden. After spending years as one of the team’s most reliable backups, Davis appears poised to compete for a full-time role.
“He gives me so much confidence on defense as a play caller because I know that he’s always going to right the ship,” Golden said recently, per Hoard. “He’s always going to communicate
where he’s lined up and what we need to get done.”
The Bengals spent much of the offseason rebuilding a defense that has kept them out of the playoffs in consecutive years. They traded the No. 10 overall pick for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signed safety Bryan Cook in free agency, but they largely stayed away from both linebacker and cornerback.
At outside corner, the organization appears comfortable with what it already has. Turner posted a 78.1 coverage grade according to PFF in 2025, while Hill finished at 67.7. Together, the two combined for 19 pass breakups and three interceptions.
Davis now has an opportunity to carve out a larger role.
An undrafted free agent in 2018, Davis spent time with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Bengals in 2020. Since then, he has served primarily as Mike Hilton’s backup, providing steady and dependable play whenever called upon.
He will likely compete with Josh Newton and Ja’Sir Taylor for snaps, but his experience in the system and Golden’s confidence in him could give him an early advantage heading into camp.
What do you think? Should the Bengals still look to add another cornerback, or are you comfortable with Jalen Davis, Dax Hill, and DJ Turner II entering the season as the team’s starting trio?
