3 positions the Cincinnati Bengals are expected to target on the waiver wire following final cuts
Reinforcements are needed for the Bengals after final roster cuts are made.
Getting down to 53 players on the active roster is just another step in the process for the Cincinnati Bengals. There will be some among the 53 names who make it through final cuts who won’t be on the team when toe meets leather in Week 1.
The names who will be new in town may still need to be released or waived from their own teams first. The positions they play? That’s easier to guess at this juncture.
When the waiver wire becomes flooded with fresh faces, these are the positions most likely to be targeted by the Bengals.
Guard
Help isn’t needed here. HELP is needed. Lucas Patrick is inline to start at right guard and the next-best option is rookie fifth-round pick Jalen Rivers. There’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about Rivers’ potential at a new position for the former collegiate left tackle/guard, but entrusting starting duties to him out the gate may be too bold. Besides those two, there just isn’t any worthwhile depth on the roster as is.
Dalton Risner may not be coming back to sign a deal he clearly wasn’t so infatuated with the first time around. They’ll be on the lookout for someone they don’t have to negotiate with.
Defensive tackle
The reason why Taven Bryan was signed in the first place was a clear lack of depth in-between the edges of the defensive line. Now Bryan is gone and the depth remains unchanged like it was when he was on the team. Undafted rookies Howard Cross III and Eric Gregory have support in the building and will stay there, but if a better option becomes available to be claimed, a claim simply has to be put in. Especially if McKinnley Jackson is still fighting for coaching approval.
Be it a specialist against the pass or run, any and all DTs are welcomed right now to round out the group.
Safety
Geno Stone’s injury shouldn’t prevent him from playing Week 1, but behind him, Jordan Battle, and Tycen Anderson, there isn’t much. Daijahn Anthony and PJ Jules had a battle of sorts for the final spot and the former left the preseason finale with an injury. The fourth spot could stand to be improved while one of the two (or both) join the practice squad.
This is shaping up to be a big roster need next offseason. Perhaps a surprise waiver claim can ease that worry in the present.
Cincinnati Bengals News
Eight players the Cincinnati Bengals will hope to retain on the practice squad including 2024 NFL Draft pick
Cincinnati’s initial practice squad will be established later this week.
