Of course, the most disappointing rookie performance is the one that didn’t happen. Shemar Stewart’s concerning rookie season took a turn for the worse when he went on IR this week.
When the Bengals selected Stewart in Round 1, we all knew that he needed development, but the Bengals have put him out there a lot this season with very limited returns. They really needed him to step up, and he failed to do so.
Stewart started four games this season and has six sacks and a single quarterback hit to show for it.
He could still end up having a productive career, but this was a troubling start.
Now, let’s take a step or four back and talk about the linebackers.
Second-round pick Demetrius Knight has also had a tumultuous rookie campaign, but I thought he looked pretty good in this game. Knight lacked his usual production as a tackler but looked good in coverage underneath. This is big since this was his biggest area in need of growth coming out of college. It is also impressive since Steelers tight end Denzel Washington had a field day against many of the Bengals’ other defenders.
That brings us to fourth-round pick Barrett Carter, who has been the better player of the two this season and is on a more consistent upward trajectory. Unfortunately, this week, that development curve dropped off a cliff.
Carter struggled to tackle, in large part due to taking terrible angles. It was a huge step back for a player who has shown a lot of promise and seemed to be the bright spot of the defensive class.
There is a bright side to this rookie class, though. It is a bright side that the season shares: The offense, specifically the offensive line.
Third round selection Dylan Fairchild looked excellent at left guard. On the right side, fifth-round pick Jalen Rivers also did a commendable job. This was an impressive showing against a talented Pittsburgh defensive front. The Bengals finally hit on a couple of interior line draftees.
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