Cincinnati Bengals: Depth improved at cornerback

The Cincinnati Bengals found a combination of cornerbacks that worked last year with Dax Hill and DJ Turner II solidifying themselves as the top two on the outside and Jalen Davis stepping in as an effective nickel.

However, they also worked to improve the room with a couple of key additions this offseason, and whether that just improves the depth or impacts what the starting lineup looks like is still to be determined.

The Bengals used a third-round pick on Tacario Davis, who brings elite length and could be a succession plan for either Hill or Turner.

The two veterans are in contract years, and it seems unlikely the organization could keep both. Hill or Tacario Davis could be candidates to move inside if defensive coordinator Al Golden wants a way to get all three players on the field.

It could take some time for Tacario Davis to acclimate, though, and there’s no rush. Ja’Sir Taylor signed in free agency to compete with Davis, so Cincinnati has some options inside.

Outside corners DJ Ivey and Josh Newton could be competing for a roster spot as well.

Let’s take a look at the past performances of the Bengals’ current cornerbacks, and how they are expected to stack up in 2026 with help from some analysis and data from Pro Football Focus.

This is the last in a series of pieces breaking down each position group for the Bengals before training camp begins July 29.

Cornerbacks on the rosterProjected starters: Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Jalen Davis

Reserves: Tacario Davis, DJ Ivey, Ja’Sir Taylor

Others in the mix: Josh Newton, Bralyn Lux, Jalen Kimber, Ceyair Wright

Hill by the numbers2025 stats: 88 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 10 missed tackles, 11 passes defended, 1 interception in 17 games, all starts.

PFF grades for 2025: Hill ranked 49th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (64.9), 36th in coverage grade (67.7), 77th in pass rush grade (50.4) and 54th in run defense grade (60.0).

PFF ranking for 2026: N/A

Turner by the numbers2025 stats: 40 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 missed tackles, 2 interceptions, 18 passes defended, 1 fumble recovery in 17 games (16 starts)

PFF grades for 2025: Turner ranked 19th of 114 cornerbacks in defense grade (73.3), sixth in coverage grade (78.1) and 105th in run defense grade (37.9).

PFF rankings for 2026: N/A

Jalen Davis by the numbers2025 stats: 77 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 1.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble in seven games, three starts

PFF grades for 2025: Jalen Davis did not play enough snaps to qualify for a rankings but posted a defense grade of 65.5, pass rush grade of 85.4, coverage grade of 65.1 and run defense grade of 57.1.

PFF ranking for 2026: N/A

Further analysisNo Bengals cornerbacks were among the top 20 when PFF.com put together its final rankings at the end of the 2025 season, though Turner might have been in the mix based on his overall defense and coverage grades.

Turner was the team’s most consistent cornerback, though he got a slow start with a poor training camp. He’s now taking on a bigger leadership role in the Bengals’ secondary and a near lock for the No. 1 cornerback spot. Turner received votes in ESPN’s top 10 cornerbacks poll of NFL executives, coaches and scouts, but did not make the list.

Hill came back from a 2024 ACL tear to impress and settled into a clear role last season after starting his NFL career as a free safety, then moving to slot corner and finally to the outside before his knee injury. He wants to stay put in that spot, but Tacario Davis’ arrival once against brought Hill’s role into question.

Jalen Davis was thrown into action late last season and proved himself capable in the nickel role, but he hasn’t shown it over the course of a full season yet. He’ll need a standout preseason to maintain that spot. Ja’Sir Taylor has been a spot starter throughout his four NFL seasons, including just one start last year in an eight-game stint with the New York Jets. He saw a maximum of six starts in 2023 with the L.A. Chargers, but he also could challenge for the job in Cincinnati.

If Tacario Davis makes the adjustment quickly and pans out as a rookie, the Bengals’ depth at cornerback should be much better in 2026.