Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt have been cornerstones in the Cincinnati Bengal’s defense for the past few seasons. Bengals fans adore both men for good reason. Week after week, these linebackers lead their defense and can always be counted on to make big plays when the game is on the line.
Germaine Pratt
The Bengals drafted North Carolina State linebacker Germaine Pratt with the 72nd pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old will enter his fifth season as a Bengal defender and the second year of his recent contract extension. The hopes are high that Pratt will continue to grow as a leader and player for this Cincinnati defense.
Pratt, lovingly referred to by fans as “Playoff P,” seems to flip a switch when the team needs a big play late in games. During the 2021 Wildcard round, he intercepted an endzone-bound pass from Las Vegas Raider Quarterback Derek Carr to help secure the Bengal’s first postseason victory in 31 years.
Last season, Pratt recorded an interception against the 49ers late in the game. This interception halted all 49ers momentum and helped the Bengals come out on top with a 31-17 victory.
While Pratt certainly has the “clutch” gene, he had a mediocre season in 2023-24. He tallied 118 tackles last season, the 31st best in the league, but he only registered two each in sacks, interceptions, and forced fumbles. Increasing those numbers will be paramount for both him and the Bengals’ defense, which was rather lackluster last season.
The biggest hole in Pratt’s game is his coverage ability. Pratt regressed in his pass coverage this last season. In 2022, Pratt allowed 4.9 yards per target; this year, it increased by nearly two yards to 6.7. He also gave up two touchdowns this year compared to one in 2022.
Logan Wilson
Logan Wilson was drafted out of Wyoming by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Wilson acts as the defense’s field general when in the game, a title he earned in his sophomore season in 2021.
Wilson had a remarkable interception late in the 2021 divisional round against the Tennessee Titans to help set up an Evan McPherson Field Goal, sending the Bengals to the AFC Championship game. Another player who can seemingly always be counted on to make a big play when the team needs it most.
Wilson, like Pratt, signed an extension just before the start of last season and hopes to continue to build his skill set as a player and leader for this defense. Wilson had a slightly better season between the two linebackers but still has plenty to improve on to continue making a name for himself. He only had one sack this past season, but when you have an elite edge rusher like Trey Hendrickson, it is easy to see why he may have fewer opportunities in the backfield.
Wilson also took a step back in coverage this last season. In 2022, Logan gave up 6.6 yards per attempt and only one touchdown. This last year, he gave up 7.9 yards per attempt and four touchdowns. He is an elite linebacker when it comes to ball-hawking, but his coverage and pass deflections will need to improve.
It was not all bad for the 27-year-old South Dakota Native last season. He showed he has what it takes to become an elite linebacker. Wilson was tied for first among Linebackers in interceptions last season. Along with Fred Warner of San Fransisco and Tremaine Edmunds from Chicago, he collected four interceptions this past season. Wilson ranked 15th in tackles across the league.
Dynamic Linebacker Duo
Pratt and Wilson have much to prove this coming year, and both can make their names well-known in the league. After missing the playoffs last season and two disappointing postseason losses in the years prior, these two are expected to lead the Bengals’ defense. If nothing else, they can make the Pro Bowl this coming season. Hopefully, they will both take a big leap forward and can bring back the defenses of 2021 that they both were a part of.
1 Comment
Great work. Hope they take a big step forward. Love rooting for Wilson