The first depth chart for the Cincinnati Bengals has been revealed this week with preseason action set to get underway in just a few days. Surprisingly, this year's first iteration is not too bad.

While it is the official depth chart released by the team, it's usually full of fluff that's not indicative of what's actually happening with the roster at the current moment. This is considered strategic by not giving away any critical info to opposing clubs, but a greater effort to make it more accurate seems to have been made this year. 



There are still some minor inaccuracies that are notable to the naked eye, and it's our duty to point them out for the sake of integrity. 

3 Reasons Why the Bengals’ Depth Chart Is Wrong

Charlie Jones, Andrei Iosivas as the No. 8, No. 9 wide receivers

Per usual, rookies are typically buried unless they were drafted to start. Jones and Iosivas have an impossible road to traverse if they want to surpass the starting trio in Cincinnati, but in terms of making the team, they’re not behind Kwamie Lassiter II like the depth chart states. Both rookies have had productive camps and their draft status alone push them into the top seven at the position. 

Brad Robbins as the No. 2 punter/holder

Same deal here, only even more egregious. Robbins has been the only punter practicing for the Bengals thus far as incumbent Drue Chrisman was hospitalized for the first portion of camp and hasn’t practiced yet. Robbins has also been exactly as advertised as one of the few drafted punters from this year’s class. There’s zero reason why he shouldn’t be considered the favorite to win the job over Chrisman.

Chase Brown as the No. 4 running back

This is more of a recent development so the team gets a pass on this one. Trayveon Williams went down with an ankle injury last week which thrusted Brown into a larger role along with Chris Evans, but Brown was arguably already the No. 3 back even before Williams’ injury occurred. If the Bengals were going to keep just three running backs, Brown would’ve been the third. 

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The next four days are very crucial for any player fighting for a better standing on the real depth chart. A joint practice with the Green Bay Packers leading up to a preseason game against them will show us exactly where each player behind the starters really lie.

Cincinnati's impressive 2023 NFL Draft class will have their true colors shown soon enough. 

Bengals’ lesser known rookies are making tough roster decisions easy

Another successful practice for the youngest Bengals on the team.

Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK