The Cincinnati Bengals were more than fine at wide receiver entering August. They leave the month saying adios to two players from last year’s Week 1 roster after fully embracing competition for their spots.

Charlie Jones was waived for Ke’Shawn Williams. Mitchell Tinsley was waived for Dohnte Meyers. The primary kickoff and punt returner for most of the last three years is now gone. So is the first WR off the bench from last season.

Meyers supplanting Tinsley became apparent last week when it looked like Jones and Williams were the two main players for the returner job. Instead of a three-way battle featuring Meyers, the former CFLer performed well enough as a pass-catcher to oust Tinsley in a fair fight.

The more unexpected decision saw Williams, a UDFA from last year, get the nod over Jones, the club’s fourth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft. Jones entered the week as the top returner in practice, and received the majority of punt return reps in the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned three punts for 39 yards, and looked like he was going to be the guy once again for the job.

Williams was not a long shot by any means. He was right behind Jones throughout training camp and the preseason in the return battle. The decision ultimately tells us Cincinnati how views the returner it kept compared to the one it let go.

Ke’Shawn Williams’ versatility wins out

The Bengals added Williams late last season when Jones suffered a season-ending injury. He proved he could handle return duties during that stretch, and confirmed his pass-catching this month. He hauled in seven receptions for 81 yards on 45 passing snaps. It was capped off the preseason with a touchdown in Friday’s game.

Williams did that in three exhibitions. Jones caught eight passes for 69 yards with 11 targets on 59 passing snaps in three seasons in Cincy.

If the Bengals believe Williams gives them a better option behind starting slot receiver Andrei Iosivas, and potentially a candidate to rotate there alongside rookie Colbie Young, that added layer of versatility makes the decision easier to justify.

Meyers also has experience and potential as a returner. Williams may be taking over the role, but he won’t be the only option in case the coaches lose trust in him.

Mitchell Tinsley is a victim of the numbers game

Tinsley might be the most talented player Cincinnati ended up cutting. The irony is that he was last offseason’s version of Meyers.

Meyers was signed back in January to a minimum deal. Tinsley was added last February on one of the cheapest NFL contracts you could possibly sign. They both flew under the radar throughout minicamp and remained unheralded at the start of training camp.

Meyers translated camp highlights to the actual games. Much like with Tinsley last year, it didn’t stop when the pressure rose. 

There aren’t a lot of receivers who can beat Christian Gonzalez in one-on-one coverage and score a touchdown, but that’s exactly what Tinsley did in a regular season game last year. He’s good enough to make an NFL roster somewhere. It just won’t be with the Bengals, simply because Meyers proved to be undeniable.

I imagine Cincinnati will be desperate to get Tinsley back on the practice squad. He is still, in my opinion, one of their six best overall receivers. But with the value Williams has as a returner, and Meyers’ rapid ascension, Tinsley just lost to the numbers. You just can’t keep everyone. 

What this means for Cincinnati’s receivers room

Williams is now the Bengals’ primary returner on both kickoffs and punts. The capability he brings as a slot receiver option gives him a clearer path to meaningful snaps on offense than Jones ever carved out. Meyers figures to be available as a backup in the return game if needed, but may have an easier time finding the field on offense compared to Williams, if he’s active on game days.

Cincinnati could’ve ran it back with its receiver room. No one would’ve batted an eye as it’s the strength of the roster. Enacting turnover is a clear sign that the Bengals feel even stronger about the position than last year.