​It’s hard to miss the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason upgrades to their defensive line. Dexter Lawrence, at 6’5” and 350 pounds, is a standout addition that signals a real shift, both literally and figuratively, in the talent and depth across the line from last year. It isn’t just Lawrence, either; the addition of Jonathan Allen adds another layer to the unit’s improved caliber. Allen’s presence is a key reason Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton labeled the Bengals’ defensive line as one of the most improved position groups in the NFL this offseason. “In addition to Lawrence, the Bengals signed Allen to a two-year, $25 million contract,” Moton wrote. “He’s a three-down defender who has played at least 70 percent of the snaps in five of the last six campaigns.”
Lawrence is a game- and scheme-altering nose tackle who may not pile up flashy stats. Allen is a versatile leader who might not stuff the stat sheet either. Yet together, they should ease the load on players like BJ Hill and unlock the potential of first-round talents on the edge, such as Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, letting them live up to their draft status. The duo should also bolster the promising uptick expected from free-agent addition Boye Mafe. Admittedly, the cost was high—the Bengals traded the 10th overall pick and a substantial cash outlay to land them. Still, the ripple effect on the rest of the unit should be evident from Week 1, as this could be the NFL’s most improved defensive line. This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 1 analysis says Bengals have most improved positional group in NFL