Bengals’ Secret Superstar Could Create ‘No-Brainer’ Cut
Cincinnati Bengals rookie safety Jordan Battle earned some national recognition on January 25 as Pro Football Focus writer Thomas Valentine named him Cincy’s “secret superstar” for the 2023 season.
“Battle was part of the efforts to paper over the cracks in the Bengals safety [room] as the team lost Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell in the offseason,” Valentine voiced. “The third-round pick only started seven games for the Bengals, but his impact was felt in every game.”
He went on to explain that “Battle’s 82.5 PFF grade was the second-highest among rookie safeties and the 10th-highest in the NFL, and his 81.3 PFF run-defense grade also ranked 10th.”
Despite being a rookie, Battle became a starter down the stretch, earning a 90.0 PFF grade in the season-finale against the [Cleveland] Browns,” Valentine concluded. “He’ll continue to shine through as a pivotal player in the secondary.”
It was a promising rookie campaign for the Alabama product who just turned 23 in December. But of course, one prospect’s emergence often means another player’s downfall in a league like the NFL.
Bleacher Report Labels Bengals Safety Nick Scott ‘Likely Cap Casualty’ Ahead of 2024 Free Agency
During an article highlighting “likely cap casualties” on January 16, Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine listed veteran safety Nick Scott within the Bengals’ section.
“The cap savings here aren’t all that significant,” Ballentine acknowledged. Noting that Cincinnati would “free up $2.3 million by cutting Scott.”
Due to Battle’s rise, however, the Bleacher Report analyst stated that this is “kind of a no-brainer.”
Scott was brought in to be a veteran presence in the safety room and be insurance for rookie Jordan Battle,” he reasoned. “As the rookie started playing better, Scott’s playing time dwindled. By the end of the season, Scott was only playing about 8-10 snaps a game.”
Ballentine deduced that “the Bengals should enter 2024 with enough trust in Battle to cut Scott.”