Cedric Johnson

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		18	3.0	27	1
2025		9	2.0	20	0
2024		9	1.0	7	1

Updated Jun 6, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Cedric Johnson's value math nets a C+ Contract Value Index — placing the deal in a clear band relative to the league median at DE. The rookie scale contract carries a $1.04M AAV across four years, a typical investment for a sixth-round pick, but Johnson's performance grade of C- and 2025 season production of 20 tackles and 2 sacks across 9 games signal he remains a depth-level contributor rather than an immediate impact player. At 23 years old and in his second season, Johnson occupies the standard developmental window for a young pass rusher, though the modest sack total underscores the gap between organizational hope and on-field results. The CVI reflects an appropriately calibrated rookie deal — not overpaid relative to his production tier, but also not a bargain given the limited counting stats and injury considerations that have shaped his early trajectory. Media framing emphasizes Johnson's return to health and potential role in Cincinnati's pass-rush rotation, positioning him as a developmental piece the organization believes can grow, yet the absence of proven production keeps expectations grounded. The Bengals' recent additions along the defensive line suggest they view Johnson as part of a competitive depth rotation rather than a foundational piece, which aligns with a contract that asks him to prove he can translate potential into consistent NFL performance before earning significant money.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Cedric's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Cedric Johnson's performance grade lands at C-, capturing how he stacks up at DE this season. The 23-year-old second-year edge rusher occupies a below-average tier at his position—productive enough to hold a roster spot but far from carrying impact weight in Cincinnati's pass-rush rotation. His 2025 season showed modest tackle volume with 20 total tackles across 9 games, but the sack production remained the real concern: just 2 sacks in limited opportunities underscores why the Bengals have aggressively added depth along the defensive line this offseason, signing multiple edge and interior defensive linemen in May and June. Johnson's durability story is mixed—he appeared in only nine games last year, which aligns with the media narrative emphasizing his return to full health after injury concerns, though the limited snap count also constrained his statistical ceiling. The developmental arc is still live: as a sixth-round 2024 pick now entering his third year, he remains a depth contributor the organization believes can grow into a more meaningful role, but the absence of sack production and two-year track record of modest output (three sacks across both seasons) means expectations are rightly tempered until he demonstrates consistent impact on the field.

How Cedric Compares at the Position

Cedric Johnson ranks 85th of 147 graded defensive ends by performance. That slots Cedric between Austin Booker (C-) just ahead and Mykel Williams (C-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Cedric Johnson carries a C+ sentiment grade heading into 2026, reflecting cautiously optimistic but tempered expectations around the young edge rusher. The Cincinnati defensive end has generated modest media attention focused primarily on his return to full health and potential contribution to the Bengals' pass-rush rotation, with coverage positioning him as a developmental piece rather than an established impact player. His limited production—just three sacks across two seasons—keeps expectations grounded, though the absence of any negative performance criticism or controversy suggests he maintains solid standing within the organization. Media framing consistently emphasizes hope over proven results, treating Johnson as a depth contributor the Bengals believe can grow into a more significant role. The sentiment reflects the typical cautious optimism reserved for young players who have shown flashes but haven't yet translated potential into consistent production at the NFL level.