The open portion of training camp has concluded for the Cincinnati Bengals, who are on their way down south for their second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Not a year goes by without training camp unfolding in ways you didn't expect. It's why roster projections from May look foolish in late August. The surprises we've seen from the Bengals have fortunately been, for the most part, positive.



These are the four that standout the most.

4 Surprises from Bengals Training Camp

Andrei Iosivas’ fast ascendancy

The second of two receivers drafted by the Bengals this year has already exceeded most expectations before the regular season has arrived. Iosivas came to Cincinnati billed as an athletic vertical threat who needed refinement and experience against more physical competition. That synopsis remains to be true, but his strengths have helped him acclimate within the offense quicker than many thought was possible. His first preseason game was proof enough.

It's still too early to tell if Iosivas is going to be active on game days as one of seven receivers projected to make the initial roster, but he's already proven his learning curve wasn't as steep as advertised. 

Chris Evans earning trust

The ability has always been there for Evans, a sixth-round pick from 2021. He’s got reliable hands and burst to outrun angles. The problem has been getting the little things right; not leaving his blockers out to dry, not causing costly penalties, etc. It’s why he got buried on the depth chart in 2022. 

A year later, he's taken advantage of Trayveon Williams' ankle injury by correcting past mistakes. He's been an asset in pass protection, and has looked improved as a no-nonsense runner. He might just have the inside track on the third down gig if Williams doesn't return soon enough.

Cincinnati has traditionally kept four running backs on the roster, and they'll probably keep that tendency going if Evans keeps up the pace.

D’Ante Smith’s resurgence

Another draft pick from 2021 that entered camp on the roster bubble, Smith has looked very much improved entering his third year at offensive tackle. He’s starting to use his length and foot speed to his advantage. Power remains an issue, but the floor was already very low. He looked very solid as the second-string left tackle last week during the preseason opener, a sign that he’s already at a good spot on the depth chart.

Instead of Jackson Carman, it appears that Smith has the best chance of landing the swing tackle role, which would have him as an active player on game days. The team will want to see if he can handle right tackle duties as well. 

Considering he was dealing with a crowded tackle group this offseason, where he is now is impressive.

DJ Ivey keeping up momentum

A rookie drafted in the seventh round on a stacked roster has a very slim chance on making it through final cuts. Ivey accepted that challenge and has only increased his odds ever since workouts began in May. He’s asserted himself with the second team at cornerback and has been one of the very best practice players alongside fellow rookie corner DJ Turner II.

The preseason opener only furthered Ivey's roster chances as Sidney Jones had an underwhelming day and is now dealing with an injury. Ivey should be the frontrunner for the sixth cornerback spot.

---

Plenty of work remains before the season opener in three week's time. Several position groups have unfinished battles. The offense needs its quarterback, Joe Burrow, to return to practice. Maybe one or two contract extensions could be finalized as well. 

Will we see all eight picks from this year's draft class make the initial 53-man roster? That's the trajectory we're on now. Two more solid preseason games from Iosivas and Ivey should lock that in. Evans and Smith are operating on shorter leashes, but they're looking better than the competition at this point.



The Bengals kick off preseason game two Friday night at 7:30pm in Atlanta.

Bengals Film Room: 5 standout plays from preseason loss to Packers

Dax Hill, DJ Turner, and Andrei Iosivas stood out in Cincinnati’s first preseason game.

Featured image via © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK