​The Cincinnati Bengals have spent much of the offseason talking up their defensive tackle depth chart, detailing how they’ve navigated the complexities of free agency and the trade market to shore up the interior line. The blockbuster deal for Dexter Lawrence and the signing of Jonathan Allen have underscored a few hard truths and yielded several early lessons. At the top of the list is the realization that the interior of the line still has questions to answer, despite a talented core.
BJ Hill is clearly a player the Bengals want to help, and the organization has signaled that additional reinforcements are needed alongside him. Recent draft selections Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson have shown promise, but development has not come as quickly as hoped. When you tally the pieces and project forward, it’s easy to see a scenario in which Jenkins, a former high draft pick, could find himself in trade discussions come summer. The idea of moving Jenkins was floated by Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton, who suggested that a late-round pick in the 2027 draft could be the return if Cincinnati chose to part ways with the 2024 third-rounder.
Moton highlighted Jenkins’ potential in his assessment. In Jenkins’ rookie season in 2024, he flashed occasional potential, compiling 31 tackles, including three for loss, and three sacks. At only 24 years old, the young defensive lineman has room to grow if he can carve out a meaningful role and see regular playing time. The Bengals would not complain if Jenkins demonstrates progress this summer, inching closer to fulfilling the expectations that accompanied him when the team used a higher draft pick on him.
Yet roster space in the interior remains a practical constraint. Lawrence, Allen, Hill, and TJ Slaton appear to be near-certainties for the final roster. The Bengals may only be able to carry five interior linemen, depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out. That reality opens the door for a possible competition from late-round acquisitions, such as Landon Robinson, who could push for a spot if he performs well in camp. The equation becomes even more nuanced when you consider the possibility of defensive ends who can slide inside to provide added interior depth, further complicating projections for the Bengals’ depth chart.
All of this points to a best-case scenario in which Jenkins takes a real step forward, becomes a consistent contributor, and broadens the defensive tackle rotation in meaningful ways. If that happens, Cincinnati’s interior line could be deeper and more versatile than it appeared at the start of the offseason. But the club has conveyed, through its actions and the way it has structured its offseason moves, that there is an intentional balance to strike between preserving proven contributors and giving young players a chance to earn real responsibility. The result is a potential depth chart that could look very different in late summer, depending on how Jenkins and the rest of the young players respond to the competition and how the veteran duo of Lawrence and Allen, along with Hill and Slaton, hold up under the rigors of a full season.
Overall, the Bengals’ approach this offseason signals a clear intent: to diversify and strengthen their interior pass rush and run defense by adding proven performers while still evaluating the young talent within the system. Jenkins’ trajectory will be a focal point, as will the team’s willingness to explore fits that maximize the interior pressure while maintaining a stable foundational core. If Jenkins can deliver in camp and emerge as a reliable piece, Cincinnati could avoid overreacting to summer trade chatter. If he doesn’t, the door to external options — including a potential mid-to-late trade for added depth — remains open, keeping the Bengals vigilant about keeping the front line formidable for the season ahead.