Bengals 53-man Roster Projection: First week of preseason reveals surprising developments with Cincinnati’s depth chart
The preseason has begun for the Cincinnati Bengals, and thus, battles all over the roster have taken the next step. There are still two more weeks until 89 players are trimmed down to 53, but the preseason-opener revealed plenty about what the roster may look like.
The preseason has begun for the Cincinnati Bengals, and thus, battles all over the roster have taken the next step.
It’s no longer just practice reps against teammates for the coaching staff to evaluate. The Bengals escaped the first week of the preseason with a 16-14 home victory over the Detroit Lions. 79 of the 89 players dressed and played.
There are still two more weeks until 89 becomes 53, but the preseason-opener revealed plenty about what the roster may look like.
Disclaimer: *indicates a 2026 draft pick, **indicates a 2026 college free agent signing
Bengals 53-man roster projection after preseason Week 1
Quarterback (2)
In: Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco
Out: Josh Johnson, Sean Clifford
How refreshing was it to see a quality second string quarterback play for the Bengals and the preseason? I know it was refreshing for me. Johnson wasn’t as clean as Flacco, but we’ll have two more chances to make his case for another team.
Running back (3)
In: Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks
Out: Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Kentrell Bullock**, Jamal Haynes**
This may be the weakness of the roster we haven’t talked very much about. Brooks was not terribly impressive with his four attempts that resulted in 11 yards. The longest rush from a running back was just seven yards. Brooks is still definitely the favorite to be the No. 3, but if any of the guys on the outside looking in step up in these last two weeks, who’s to say they don’t make it?
Wide receiver (6)
In: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young*, Mitchell Tinsley, Dohnte Meyers
Out: Charlie Jones, Ke’Shawn Williams, Noah Thomas**, Kendric Pryor, Jordan Moore, Xavier Johnson
Iosivas, Young, and Tinsley all shared the field with the second team offense. These three are going to continue testing one another as Young and Tinsley car out rolls alongside the two year starter in Iosivas.
I thought Williams looked explosive as a returner, which is the most important thing for him, and he at least got to touch the ball on offense, unlike Jones, who couldn’t haul in either of his two targets. Meyers, on the other hand, led the team in yards from scrimmage, and had the longest punt return of the night. It’s far too early to call this, but I’ll give the underdog the lead as of now.
Tight end (5)
In: Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All Jr., Tanner Hudson, Jack Endries*
Out: Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus**
How can I leave Endries off the roster after the game he had? Not only did he score the team’s only touchdown and tied Meyers for a team-high three receptions, he also impressed as a blocker. That’s going to keep him in the building. Hudson will do what he can to stick around both on special teams, and as the perfect backup to Gesicki.
Offensive line (9)
In: Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner, Amarius Mims, Cody Ford, Jalen Rivers, Brian Parker II*, Connor Lew*
Out: Andrew Coker, Javon Foster, Jacob Bayer, Christian Jones**, Corey Robinson II**, Liam Brown**
Two players who will want to move on quickly from Thursday night were Brown and Rivers. They were each beaten cleanly a couple times in pass protection. Brown isn’t going anywhere, obviously, and I’m not convinced Rivers is either. The battle between Ford and Coker to be the swing tackle is the main story here, and considering Ford was decent, I’ll give him the edge for now.
Defensive line (11)
In: Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, B.J. Hill, Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, T.J. Slaton Jr., Shemar Stewart, Cashius Howell*, Kris Jenkins Jr., Cedric Johnson, Landon Robinson*
Out: McKinnley Jackson, Isaiah Foskey, Jordan Jefferson, Howard Cross III, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr.
Both Howell and Robinson showed up in their debuts. It’s just so hard for me to see Robinson not making this team when he’s already arguably their best interior pass rusher behind Lawrence, Allen, and Hill. Jenkins played a ton and that was expected as he has a lot to prove in Year 3. He did well with his snaps, so six still feels like the number for defensive tackles.
Stuart is still out for the next few weeks at least, but Howell is clearly ready for more reps, and Johnson fits well to round out the EDGE group behind Mafe and Murphy.
Linebacker (5)
In: Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks, Swayze Bozeman, Joe Giles-Harris
Out: Shaka Heyward, Liam Anderson, Eric Gentry**, Jack Dingle**
Bozeman getting second-team reps at LB was a pleasant surprise. He has a good case of taking either Giles-Harris or Heyward’s spot as he possesses plenty of special teams experience in his own right.
Cornerback (5)
In: DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, Jalen Davis, Tacario Davis*, DJ Ivey
Out: Ja’Sir Taylor, Bralyn Lux, Josh Newton, Jalen Kimber, Ceyair Wright**
You have to be light somewhere if 11 defensive lineman make team. Hill and the older Davis are banged up right now and I wouldn’t expect them to just roll with five if that’s the case at the end of this month. When the top five are all healthy, however, I think going with them and having a guy like Taylor on the practice squad ready to be called up at a moment’s notice is more than viable.
Ivey firmly in the top-five, and his key pass break up on fourth down solidifies him even more.
Safety (4)
In: Bryan Cook, Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, PJ Jules
Out: Daijahn Anthony, Russ Yeast
Shout out to Yeast, man. The son of a former Bengal himself sealed the game with an interception. He keeps that up, he’ll make a really compelling case to take Jules’ spot.
Specialist (3)
In: Evan McPherson, Ryan Rehkow, William Wagner
No notes.
