Summary

Geno Stone entered the 2020 NFL Draft, as a seventh-round pick, (pick 219) which underscored how under‐the‐radar his college career may have been, despite strong production at Iowa. He’s since worked his way up into a meaningful role, especially when he joined the Bengals in 2024. In his first season in Cincinnati, he started all 17 games and logged 81 tackles and four interceptions. CBS Sports Prior to that, in 2023 with the Ravens, he led the AFC in interceptions with seven. Cincinnati Bengals

Stone’s value comes from his knack for making plays on the ball, his intelligence reading offenses, and his steady improvement each year. He’s become a starting safety with ball-hawking ability and is seen as a key piece in the Bengals’ secondary moving forward.

Strengths

• Ball-hawking instincts & turnover production: Stone has shown a strong ability to create turnovers — e.g., his seven interceptions in 2023 and four in 2024. Cincinnati Bengals

• Improved starter and durability: After limited snaps early in his career, he stepped into a full-time role and handled the workload (17 games in 2024) for Cincinnati. CBS Sports

• Strong tackling in the defensive backfield: With his size (~210 lbs) and willingness to engage in run support, he offers more than just coverage ability. His tackle totals reflect that involvement. Cincinnati Bengals

• Football IQ & route recognition: Stone’s progression suggests he has good awareness of offensive schemes, enables him to anticipate plays, and puts him in position to make the kind of interceptions he has.

• Underdog work ethic & upward trajectory: Being a late draft pick, he’s shown the kind of development curve that teams value — he improved his role and production each year.

Weaknesses

• Size & physical limitations for a modern prototypical safety: At 5′11″ and 210 lbs, Stone is not the tallest or biggest safety option. This may create matchup issues versus taller receivers or tight ends.

• Long-term consistency as a top tier starter is still unproven: While he has had standout recent seasons, he has fewer years as a full‐time starter compared to veterans at his position, so some risk remains.

• Coverage versatility in multiple schemes: Some evaluators note that while he is strong in the roles he’s played, it remains to be seen how he holds up in every variant of coverage (e.g., deep single-high, demanding man coverage on larger targets).

• Early career lag and draft status: As a seventh-round pick, his early career was modest; that means he may still carry some perception risk until he sustains high-level production over multiple seasons.

Fit & Outlook

Geno Stone projects as a reliable starting safety with a solid floor and growing upside. His ball-hawk nature, tackling presence, and clear developmental trend give him value for a team looking to shore up the back end of their defense.

If he continues on his upward trajectory — maintaining his health, refining coverage technique (especially against bigger receivers), and showing consistency week-to-week — he could elevate into a “top-half” safety in the league. On the other hand, if his limitations (size, matchup versatility) emerge in difficult games, he may settle into a very good but not elite role.