How the Bengals’ 2024 Draft Picks Could Slash Sack Totals Below Ten

Hook: The Sack Statistic That Sets the Stage

Last season the Cincinnati Bengals allowed 45% fewer sacks than the league average, and the 2024 draft class could drive that number below ten. In 2023 the Bengals gave up 38 sacks, compared with the league average of 69, according to Pro Football Reference. Reducing the sack total to under ten would rank Cincinnati among the top three defenses in the NFL for protecting the quarterback. The key to that leap lies in bolstering the pass rush - the part of the defense that forces the quarterback to hurry, often resulting in sacks, hurried throws, or turnovers.

Key Takeaways

• The Bengals already improved sack protection by 45% last season.
• Adding five specific draft picks can push the sack total below ten.
• Each pick addresses a distinct gap in the current pass-rush scheme.

"The Bengals allowed 38 sacks in 2023, a 45% improvement over the league average of 69. A sub-ten-sack season would be a historic defensive milestone for the franchise."

Pick 1: Dexter Lawrence - Immediate Interior Disruption

Dexter Lawrence entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2020, but his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers revealed the raw power the Bengals need at defensive tackle. In 2022 Lawrence recorded 5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback hits across 16 games, posting a 2.9 pass-rush win rate - the percentage of snaps where he beats his blocker within 2.5 seconds. His quick first step and hand-fighting technique allow him to collapse the pocket from the inside, forcing quarterbacks to step up or slide.

The Bengals currently rely on Sam Hubbard and John Comstock to generate interior pressure. Adding Lawrence creates a two-man front that can generate a 1.5-yard gap on most runs, turning potential rushes into loss-yard plays. In the 2023 season the Bengals’ interior line posted a 2.1 yards-per-carry average; Lawrence’s presence could push that figure below two, making play-action passes riskier for opponents.

Beyond raw numbers, Lawrence’s experience in a 4-3 scheme translates well to Cincinnati’s hybrid 3-4/4-3 front. He can line up as a one-technique in a three-man front, allowing the edge rusher to set the edge while Lawrence occupies multiple blockers. This frees up the linebackers to blitz or drop into coverage without sacrificing run support. In short, Lawrence offers an immediate, measurable upgrade to interior disruption, a cornerstone for any double-digit sack campaign.

Common Mistake: Assuming Lawrence will automatically produce five sacks each season. Interior rushers often need time to adjust to new scheme nuances; patience and proper gap assignments are essential.

Transitioning to the next piece of the puzzle, the Bengals need a speedster on the outside to stretch offenses horizontally.

Pick 2: Edge Rusher X - Adding Speed Off the Edge

The second-round edge rusher under consideration mirrors the college production of Texas A&M’s Kellen Montgomery, who logged 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and a 5.8 pass-rush win rate in his senior year. Those metrics place Montgomery in the top 5% of all defensive ends in the 2023 NCAA season, according to Sports Reference. Speed off the edge is the most direct path to quarterback pressure; a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, as Montgomery posted, translates to a burst that can outrun offensive tackles on outside runs.

For Cincinnati, the addition of a speed rusher addresses a glaring need: the Bengals recorded a 6.2% edge-rush success rate in 2023, ranking 22nd league-wide. By inserting a player with a proven ability to win one-on-one battles, Cincinnati can raise that percentage to the mid-teens, a range that typically correlates with 30+ sack totals in a season. Moreover, a quick edge rusher forces offenses to allocate extra protection resources, opening lanes for linebackers and secondary blitzes.

Strategically, this player would slot into the existing three-technique slot alongside Lawrence, allowing the defensive coordinator to employ a “fire-and-forget” approach on early downs. The speed rusher can also be used on nickel packages, creating a one-technique interior rush that keeps offenses guessing. In sum, the edge rusher’s elite burst and proven sack numbers provide the Bengals with a versatile weapon that can be deployed in a variety of formations without overtaxing veteran pass-rushers.

Common Mistake: Over-relying on raw speed without teaching proper hand usage. Even the fastest rusher can be neutralized by a disciplined tackle.

With a blazing edge now in place, the next layer adds unpredictability from the linebacker corps.

Pick 3: Versatile Linebacker Y - Hybrid Pass-Rush Flexibility

A hybrid linebacker who can both drop into coverage and blitz adds a layer of unpredictability that confounds offensive line calls. The Bengals could target a 2024 fourth-round pick like Washington’s Jaden Randal, who posted 84 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions in his final college season. Randal’s 38% coverage snap rate demonstrates his ability to stay in space, while his 6.5 sacks show a knack for penetrating gaps.

In Cincinnati’s current scheme, linebackers are primarily run-stop specialists, contributing to a modest 4.1% blitz frequency. By inserting a hybrid player, the Bengals can increase that figure to 9-10% without sacrificing pass-coverage integrity. The presence of a linebacker who can rush from the “Will” or “Sam” position also forces offenses to keep a spy or extra tight end in to block, effectively reducing the number of eligible receivers on the field.

From a schematic standpoint, this player enables the Bengals to run “zone blitz” concepts, where a defensive end drops into a short zone while the linebacker rushes. The result is a sudden, unanticipated rush that often leads to hurried throws and, occasionally, interceptions. The dual-skill set also gives the Bengals flexibility on third-down situations, allowing the defense to stay aggressive without exposing itself to big plays. Overall, a versatile linebacker expands the pass-rush playbook and creates confusion that can translate directly into additional sacks.

Common Mistake: Deploying the hybrid linebacker exclusively as a blitzer, which can erode his coverage value and leave the secondary exposed.

Now that the Bengals have interior power, edge speed, and a chameleon linebacker, the next step is to ensure the rotation stays fresh late in games.

Pick 4: Rotational Defensive End Z - Depth and Fresh Legs

Depth is the unsung hero of a successful pass rush, especially late in games when starters tire. The Bengals could acquire a rotational defensive end similar to Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith, who logged 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 2023 while playing only 30% of defensive snaps. Smith’s per-snap sack rate (0.25 sacks per 10 snaps) is among the highest for reserve players, indicating high efficiency when on the field.

In the 2023 season the Bengals’ defensive ends combined for 28 sacks, but their snap counts dropped sharply after the third quarter, with a 15% reduction in pass-rush productivity. Adding a fresh-leg end who can sustain a 4.8-second 40-yard dash and maintain a 3.2 yards-per-carry allowance against the run helps preserve starter health and maintains pressure throughout the game.

Strategically, this rotational end can be deployed in three-down packages, especially on passing situations, to keep the edge attack relentless. He can also serve as a “joker” in special teams, providing extra pressure on fake punts or on-side kicks. By rotating this player in after the first two quarters, the Bengals can keep their edge attack at a high tempo, increasing the likelihood of double-digit sack totals over a full season.

Common Mistake: Over-using a rotational end in early-down situations, which defeats the purpose of preserving starter stamina.

With the rotation secured, the final piece adds a new dimension to interior pressure.

Pick 5: Rookie Defensive Tackle W - Power-Gap Penetration

The final piece of the puzzle is a low-center defensive tackle who excels at penetrating gaps and creating interior pressure. A prime example is Georgia’s Davion Davis, who posted 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a 4.1 yards-per-carry allowance against the run in 2023. Davis’s 4.3-second 40-yard dash and 32-inch arm length give him the leverage to slip past guards and tackle the quarterback before he can set his feet.

While Dexter Lawrence anchors the one-technique, this second interior tackle provides a complementary “penetration” style that can disrupt the quarterback’s timing. In 2023 the Bengals recorded only 6 interior-rushing sacks; adding a player with Davis’s gap-shooting ability could raise that number to 12-14, a significant jump that directly contributes to overall sack totals.

Beyond the pass rush, this tackle’s ability to hold his ground against the run reinforces the Bengals’ run defense, which ranked 15th in yards-per-carry allowed (4.3) last season. By limiting the opponent’s ground game, the defense forces more passing situations, creating additional opportunities for the edge and linebacker rushers to make plays. In essence, this rookie tackle adds a power-gap element that dovetails with Lawrence’s interior disruption, rounding out a balanced interior front.

Common Mistake: Expecting immediate sack production from a raw rookie. Development in technique and strength is key to unlocking his full potential.

Having assembled each component, the Bengals can now visualize the complete system.

Overall Strategy: How the Five Pieces Form a Cohesive Pass Rush

When viewed together, the five draft selections create a layered, adaptable pass-rush system that can consistently generate double-digit sack totals. Dexter Lawrence anchors the interior, providing immediate disruption and freeing up edge players. The speed-focused edge rusher adds a burst that targets the quarterback on every snap, while the hybrid linebacker offers flexibility to blitz from multiple angles and keep offenses guessing.

Depth comes from the rotational defensive end, who ensures the edge remains fresh late in games, preserving the health of veterans like Sam Hubbard. Finally, the power-gap rookie tackle complements Lawrence by penetrating gaps and adding interior pressure that forces quarterbacks to step up or slide. This combination yields a multi-axis attack: interior pressure forces the quarterback to retreat, edge speed pushes him laterally, and linebacker blitzes create confusion at the line of scrimmage.

Statistically, the Bengals currently average 0.58 sacks per game (22 sacks in 2023). Adding these five players, each with proven per-snap sack rates ranging from 0.20 to 0.25, projects an additional 10-12 sacks over a 17-game season. When combined with improved run defense and reduced quarterback hurry rates, the Bengals could realistically drop their sack total to under ten, achieving a historic defensive milestone and giving quarterback Joe Burrow the protection he needs to thrive.

Q: How does Dexter Lawrence’s rookie performance translate to the Bengals’ defensive scheme?

Lawrence’s early NFL work showed he can beat blockers quickly, a trait that meshes with Cincinnati’s hybrid front. Whether he lines up as a one-technique in a three-man set or as a traditional three-technique in a 4-3, his ability to occupy multiple linemen creates space for edge rushers and linebackers to attack. The Bengals will likely use him in two-gap and one-gap responsibilities, allowing flexibility based on opponent tendencies.