Bengals defensive end Jeff Gunter needs a dominant preseason finale to stick around
69 active players get to stay a part of the Cincinnati Bengals after next Tuesday's roster cutdown. 53 players on the active roster, and up to 16 can be signed to the practice squad. In all likelihood, Jeff Gunter will be a part of that 69 in some capacity, but he can do more to […]
69 active players get to stay a part of the Cincinnati Bengals after next Tuesday's roster cutdown. 53 players on the active roster, and up to 16 can be signed to the practice squad.
In all likelihood, Jeff Gunter will be a part of that 69 in some capacity, but he can do more to confirm that. Last year's seventh-round pick finds himself in the middle of the deepest position group on the roster.
Gunter made the Week 1 roster as a rookie. His path to doing so as a second-year player appears much harder.
Only four Bengals have logged more defensive snaps than Gunter this month, and all four are either locks for the roster or are on track to make it. He's been the most active member of the defensive line in the preseason. The production, unfortunately, hasn't quite reflected that.
Gunter has recorded just one total pressure in 48 pass-rushing snaps over the last two weeks. That pressure also happened to be a half-sack that he shared with Raymond Johnson III against the Atlanta Falcons. It was a fun high, but it doesn't overshadow the other 47 reps in which he hasn't gotten home. He's won just 4.7% of his pass-rushing opportunities.
Beyond underwhelming production, Gunter's biggest hurdle is purely the numbers game. The Bengals may not have room for six edge defenders regardless of how good the sixth one is. They're likely to keep four running backs, seven wide receivers, six cornerbacks, and maybe even 10 offensive linemen. They won't be able to go heavy at every position.
Then there's the other variable in Raymond Johnson III, who joined the Bengals almost exactly a year ago via the practice squad. Johnson has had a spectacular preseason slate thus far and has made a far more compelling case to stay on the 53-man roster than Gunter, but even he isn't assured any job security at this point.
This brings us to Saturday evening when the Bengals take on the Washington Commanders. Gunter (and Johnson for that matter) will get plenty of chances to leave his mark in a Bengals uniform. He may even play the whole game depending on who they'll have available to suit up. But if he shows out, he's far from a lock to make the team or stick around in Cincinnati. 31 other NFL clubs will be able to add him via waivers should he become available.
Eyes from all over the NFL landscape will be taking note on how Gunter finishes the preseason this weekend. He could end up back with the Bengals on the practice squad, or pack his bags to play for a new team following cutdown day. It might just be the most important football game of his life.
Bengals 53-man roster projection heading into final week of preseason
Cincinnati’s roster is nearly set with one final preseason before cut down day.
Featured image via © Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
