The Cincinnati Bengals are raring to go after a disappointing 2016 season. After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2011, the Bengals made some changes to their roster and are now speedier and younger than ever before.

After ranking eighth in the NFL in points allowed in 2016, the Cincinnati defense will be looking to improve upon those numbers. But with the loss of three veterans from last season’s starting line up (Rey Maualuga, Karlos Dansby, Domata Peko), the Bengals will have to lean heavily on some new players (as well as some old ones) if they want any chance on cracking the top 10 in defensive scoring for the sixth time since 2011.

With that said, we’re going to rank the 11 most important players on Cincinnati’s defense heading into the 2017 season.

Carl Lawson│William Jackson│Nick Vigil│Darqueze Dennard│Vincent Rey│Andrew Billings│Dre Kirkpatrick│George Iloka│Carlos Dunlap│Geno Atkins│Vontaze Burfict