Bengals 53-man roster projection before Week 2 of preseason
Our first look at the Cincinnati Bengals told us quite a bit about the bottom half of the roster. Just two preseason games and plenty of more practices remain for several roster hopefuls to make their case to stay in September. Which players have the inside track to make it through final cuts with two […]
Our first look at the Cincinnati Bengals told us quite a bit about the bottom half of the roster. Just two preseason games and plenty of more practices remain for several roster hopefuls to make their case to stay in September.
Which players have the inside track to make it through final cuts with two preseason game remaining? Here's our latest 53-man roster projection following the Bengals' preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Joe Burrow, Trevor Siemian
OUT: Jake Browning, Reid Sinnett
The skinny: Needless to say, the Bengals are better off when Burrow doesn't miss time. Siemian and Browning have been underwhelming, even for backup quarterback standards. Siemian at least looks to have the livelier arm right now.
Running back (4)
IN: Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans, Chase Brown*
OUT: Calvin Tyler Jr.**, Jacob Saylors**
The skinny: Evans and Brown are making the argument that four should be kept. The former has looked impressive in pass protection, and both have showcased their athleticism throughout camp and during the preseason opener. Evans might just have the lead for the third down role to start the year if Williams doesn't come back soon.
Wide receiver (7)
IN: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, Stanley Morgan Jr., Andreo Iosivas*, Charlie Jones*
OUT: Trent Taylor, Kwamie Lassiter II, Shedrick Jackson**, Malachi Carter**, Mac Hippenhammer**
The skinny: It still feels irresponsible to go with fewer than seven here. Irwin and Morgan aren't going anywhere, Iosivas isn't making it to the practice squad, and someone needs to return punts. Jones is dealing with a torn labrum and wants to play through it. He'll play better as the month goes on.
Tight end (2)
IN: Irv Smith Jr., Tanner Hudson
OUT: Drew Sample, Devin Asiasi, Nick Bowers, Christian Trahan**
PUP: Mitchell Wilcox
The skinny: A third option needs to come from somewhere else. Sample and Asiasi leave so much left to be desired. Hopefully Hudson can be cleared from concussion protocol soon. Wilcox will make the team just to be placed on the PUP list to start the year.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams, D'Ante Smith, Max Scharping, Cody Ford, Jackson Carman
OUT: Hakeem Adeniji, Trey Hill, Nate Gilliam, Ben Brown, Jaxson Kirkland**
PUP: La'el Collins
IR: Devin Cochran
The skinny: It's a bit early to predict who stays at swing tackle and backup center. Smith got the first crack at left tackle and played alright against the Packers, now he's practicing at right tackle, indicating he's in the lead. Scharping and Hill split time at center with the former showing a bit more consistency. Carman is going back to left tackle and should benefit from it, but he's looking like the one player who doesn't dress on Sundays again. Collins is closer to coming back but will likely stay on the PUP list.
Defensive line (10)
IN: Trey Hendrickson, DJ Reader, B.J. Hill, Sam Hubbard, Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, Zach Carter, Josh Tupou, Jay Tufele, Myles Murphy*
OUT: Jeff Gunter, Tarell Basham, Raymond Johnson III, Domenique Davis, Owen Carney, Tautala Pesefea**
IR: Devonnsha Maxwell**
The skinny: Tufele and Davis each helped themselves tremendously in the preseason opener, but there may only be room for one of them. The fact that Davis is in the conversation at all is impressive. His four pressures from Friday's game was one of the stories of the game, and they've got him in the mix. Six defensive tackles is probably one too many. Six edges is not unheard of, and Gunter is working to make that happen. These battles will be fun to watch over the next two weeks.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey, Joe Bachie
OUT: Keandre Jones, Shaka Heyward**, Jaylen Moody**, Tyler Murray**
The skinny: Only new development here is Bachie's injury, which didn't prevent him from practicing this week. No one on the outside looking in showed anything positive on Friday to make a case to push this group to six.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, DJ Turner II*, Jalen Davis, DJ Ivey*
OUT: Sidney Jones IV, Allan George, Marvin Tell III
The skinny: Ivey, Jones, and George are all essentially battling for one spot. Ivey had an up-and-down preseason debut while Jones and George were more down than up. Combined with how well Ivey has looked in practice, the edge still belongs to him.
Safety (5)
IN: Dax Hill, Nick Scott, Jordan Battle*, Tycen Anderson, Michael Thomas
OUT: Yusuf Corker, Larry Brooks III**
The skinny: If there was any doubt Anderson wouldn't make this a five-safety room, he eliminated it with two interceptions Friday night. This group is settled.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Cal Adomitis (LS), Brad Robbins* (P), Evan McPherson (K)
OUT: Drue Chrisman (P)
The skinny: Chrisman will be getting reps here soon, but they will be his audition for a practice squad spot or for another team entirely.
Bengals: Jackson Carman faces an unfortunate reality caused by his play
Carman is back to square one after a bad preseason showing.
Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
