Bengals' 53-man depth chart projection after the 2023 NFL Draft
The transition from constant roster turnover to maintaining continuity has already been re-instilled for the Cincinnati Bengals. This is how it was back in the early 2010s, only this time, the club has several playoff wins to back up their process. Last year's Bengals team was arguably the best in franchise history, and they lost […]
The transition from constant roster turnover to maintaining continuity has already been re-instilled for the Cincinnati Bengals. This is how it was back in the early 2010s, only this time, the club has several playoff wins to back up their process.
Last year's Bengals team was arguably the best in franchise history, and they lost just three starters this offseason. All three have been replaced, and depth has been replenished at nearly every other position.
We already projected what the 53-man roster will look like come September, now it's time to map out what the depth chart will be structured with that Week 1 roster.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks.
Bengals' 53-man depth chart projection
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Joe Burrow | Jake Browning |
Running Back | Joe Mixon | Chase Brown* |
Wide Receiver | Ja’Marr Chase | Charlie Jones* |
Tight End | Irv Smith Jr. | Drew Sample |
Offensive Line | Orlando Brown Jr. (LT) | Jackson Carman |
Defensive Line | Trey Hendrickson (RE) | Myles Murphy* |
Linebacker | Logan Wilson | Akeem Davis-Gaither |
Cornerback | Chidobe Awuzie (RCB) | DJ Turner II* |
Safety | Dax Hill | Jordan Battle* |
Kicker | Evan McPherson | |
Punter/Holder | Brad Robbins* | |
Long Snapper | Cal Adomitis | |
Kickoff Returner | Trayveon Williams | |
Punt Returner | Charlie Jones* |
There's a few things to take away here.
All five of the Bengals' first five draft picks are in line to be the first off the bench at their respective positions. Chase Brown will complement Joe Mixon in the backfield to start, and Charlie Jones is a good bet to be wide receiver No. 4, and the punt returner, by the end of training camp.
Myles Murphy will also have the chance to rep as the primary right defensive end behind Trey Hendrickson while Joseph Ossai rehabs his torn labrum during offseason practices. DJ Turner II is already the fourth cornerback, like Jordan Battle is the third safety, based solely on draft status.
Zach Carter became a big winner from the draft, as the team selected no one to compete with him behind B.J. Hill at 3-technique, or challenge him out of his role as the 5-technique when the Bengals go for odd fronts. He's technically a starter, but will still play as many snaps as a top reserve. I could also be convinced Jay Tufele earns a spot as the fifth interior defender instead of the team keeping six edge defenders.
La'el Collins was left off due to his injury and the expectation that he'll start the season on some injury list, most likely PUP. Should he actually recover in time for training camp, a conversation can be had about his chances at starting again at right tackle. That spot will be Jonah Williams' to lose.
Dax Hill and Nick Scott aren't labeled as free or strong safeties because those labels are mostly meaningless in the Bengals' defense. Each player will likely play both roles pretty evenly, with Hill potentially repping more often in the box. A similar reasoning applies to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at wide receiver. Chase is more often the X, but he also switches roles with Higgins a decent amount.
Drue Chrisman is out at punter until rookie Brad Robbins does anything to warrant cause for concern.
