Cincinnati’s preseason run defense has fans and fantasy managers buzzing. A woeful six carries for chunks of yardage on a single first-quarter drive, plus a nose-dive in the run game against Washington and Philadelphia, spotlight talent gaps after Jessie Bates III’s exit and a shift away from top defensive free agents. The front office’s plan to build the line through the draft is getting questioned, and Al Golden’s praise can’t mask a talent deficit that looks clear in the run game.

With Trey Hendrickson expected to bolster the pass rush, the Bengals’ defense still isn’t cured of the run-attack headaches. Opponents from the Browns to Detroit and beyond could lean on the ground, especially early in the season. The must-win opener in Cleveland looms as a real test, and fantasy managers should rethink streaming defenses against Cincinnati until the unit proves it can stop the run consistently.

In fantasy terms, this isn’t a slam-dunk defense play until the run defense shows improvement. Hendrickson remains a solid sack source, but the run defense remains the Achilles’ heel that could put a dent in regulatory week-to-week upside. The piece flags a season where the offense may have to carry more weight in winning games, and the defense’s ability to limit opponents on the ground could dictate the Bengals’ ceiling this year.