Geno Stone is the very definition of high risk and high reward. The real question is, is he worth it?
On the one hand, Stone is dead last among all eligible safeties in the NFL in missed tackles with 16 through 15 weeks, per Pro Football Focus. He is tied for 84th in pass breakups with none, 81st in passer rating allowed at 76.5, and 66th in receptions allowed with 13.
On the other hand, he is 5th in solo tackles with 68, 6th in sacks with two, and 10th in total pressures with nine.
Stone’s PFF grades reflect the conundrum. His overall grade of 59.2 places him 69th of 97 eligible safeties. He boasts a run defense grade of 59.2 (84/97) and a coverage grade of 55.4 (69/97). His only real savings grade is his pass rush grade of 76.6, which places him 15th among all eligible safeties.
Waiting in the wings is the young Daijahn Anthony. Last year, in limited action, Anderson received an overall mark of 64.4. Anthony has been dealing with injuries so far this season and was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on August 26. He was activated on November 26 but has gotten very little playing time since then.
Then there is Dax Hill, who began his career as a safety and was switched to cornerback before the 2024 season. Like Stone, Hill has struggled in all aspects of the game this year but excelled in run defense as a safety. As a rookie in 2022, Hill recorded a PFF grade of 71.5 and followed that with a grade of 70.9 in 2023.
Hill would be an instant upgrade over Stone in one of the areas where the Bengals continue to struggle. Neither Hill nor Stone has shown an ability to cover tight ends or running backs, and Anthony is unproven in that area.
The Bengals have a decision to make. Chances are, they will make the wrong one.