The Bengals just dropped some serious coin to revamp their defense, bringing in proven veteran talent through free agency and a big trade for Dexter Lawrence. And yeah, one of those new faces is a guy we know: Boye Mafe. He was part of that absolutely stacked defensive line for our Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks back in the 2025 season. But get this: he only recorded two sacks for that championship squad. Now he’s in Cincy, and the question is, what are the Bengals getting?
Dugger’s Down-the-Box Power
One of those key veteran additions is Kyle Dugger. Don’t expect him to totally unseat Jordan Battle for that starting safety spot next to Bryan Cook, but he’s gonna be a valuable contributor. We’re talking 15-20 snaps a game, especially when they need someone to get nasty against the run. What’s most impressive about Dugger is what he can do down in the box. For a team with young linebackers, this dude could see a good chunk of snaps rotating in there to help shore things up. Dugger, a former second-round pick, spent 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he racked up 59 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions. Not the flashiest signing, maybe, but he’s a versatile depth piece, which is always gold.
Allen Brings Veteran Juice to the D-Line
Then there’s Jonathan Allen, a former first-round selection with two Pro Bowls under his belt, who kicked off his career in Washington. Last season, 2025, he played for the Minnesota Vikings, putting up 68 tackles and 3.5 sacks, adding to his career total of 45.5 sacks. Look, he might not be the absolute dominant pass rusher he once was, but the tape shows he’s still got plenty of juice. The Bengals are counting on him to be an effective player on that defensive line, rotating with BJ Hill. With a monster like Dexter Lawrence drawing so much attention, it’s gotta open things up for these guys. The PFF grades weren’t great for Allen last year, but the film doesn’t lie: he’s way better against the run than those numbers suggest. His ability to work down the line, his run-defense awareness, and his overall football IQ are top-tier. He’s a reliable tackler and can still sneak in some quick wins as a pass rusher. After playing over 800 snaps in 2025, getting that number down this season should keep him fresh.
So, the Bengals are making moves, bringing in these guys to bolster their defense. What does it mean for their season? They’re clearly trying to improve their D-line and run stopping, looking for that veteran stability. For these additions to pay off, they need these new pieces to gel fast and make an immediate impact, especially on a revamped defense heading into the heat of the regular season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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