Bengals depth chart: Post-free agency update

Free agency is entering Week 3, which means it's pretty much over. That creates a mixed bag of emotions for the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently stand at 64 rostered players. Their big splash at left tackle has now created an equally big hole at right tackle, they're helpless at tight end, and running back is […]

John Sheeran Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Free agency is entering Week 3, which means it's pretty much over.

That creates a mixed bag of emotions for the Cincinnati Bengals, who currently stand at 64 rostered players. Their big splash at left tackle has now created an equally big hole at right tackle, they're helpless at tight end, and running back is still way up in the air. 

Rumors of Ezekiel Elliott will rage on the longer he's unsigned, but for the most part, this is the roster the Bengals will carry into the upcoming NFL Draft.

What does the roster look like? Let's start with the offense.

PositionStarterReserves

Quarterback

Joe Burrow

Jake Browning

Running back

Joe Mixon

Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans

Wide Receiver (X)

Ja’Marr Chase

Trenton Irwin

Wide Receiver (Z) 

Tee Higgins

Stanley Morgan Jr. 

Slot Receiver

Tyler Boyd

Trent Taylor, Kwamie Lassiter II

Tight End

Devin Asiasi

Nick Bowers, Tanner Hudson

Left Tackle

Orlando Brown Jr.

Jackson Carman, Hakeem Adeniji, D’Ante Smith, Devin Cochran

Left Guard

Cordell Volson

Nate Gilliam

Center

Ted Karras

Trey Hill, Ben Brown

Right Guard

Alex Cappa

Max Scharping

Right Tackle

Jonah Williams

La’el Collins, Cody Ford

Bengals post-free agency depth chart: Offense

Plenty of work yet to be done here. Browning will be in the mix to be Burrow's backup, but he'll likely get competition. Brandon Allen is still a free agent and no team is knocking down his door.

Running back and tight end still need major attention. Mixon still may or may not be cut pending on how the Draft goes or if a veteran like Ezekiel Elliott is signed to be the new third down back. A rookie is all but confirmed to come into the equation. 

Tight end is just, well, a mess. They may double dip in the Draft. 

If they don't take a tight end in the first round, an offensive tackle is likely the target. This will be greatly impacted by whatever happens with Jonah Williams, who requested a trade over a week ago. The Bengals have at least received offers for their former left tackle, but there's at least a possibility they convince him to play right tackle this year. The Draft is when Williams is most likely to be dealt away. 

Defensively, there are no current holes at the top of the depth chart, but questions in regards to depth persist.

PositionStarterReserves

Free Safety

Dax Hill

Michael Thomas, Yusuf Corker

Strong Safety

Nick Scott

Tycen Anderson, Brandon Wilson

Right Cornerback 

Chidobe Awuzie

Allan George

Left Cornerback

Cam Taylor-Britt

Marvin Tell III

Slot Defender

Mike Hilton

Jalen Davis

Mike Linebacker

Logan Wilson

Markus Bailey, Joe Bachie

Will Linebacker

Germaine Pratt

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Keandre Jones

Right Defensive End

Trey Hendrickson

Joseph Ossai, Raymond Johnson III

Left Defensive End

Sam Hubbard

Cam Sample, Jeff Gunter, Owen Carney

3-Technique

B.J. Hill

Zach Carter, Domenique Davis

1-Technique

DJ Reader

Josh Tupou, Jay Tufele

Bengals post-free agency depth chart: Defense

Free agency saw Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell get replaced with last year's first-round pick Dax Hill and newcomer veteran Nick Scott, respectively. Everything else looks very familiar to the 2022 squad sans Eli Apple and Tre Flowers, who are each still available.

Apple has a decent chance of returning simply due to Chidobe Awuzie's recovery from a torn ACL. Awuzie will be 10 months removed from surgery when Week 1 arrives. A rookie could also be in play to bolster immediate depth. 

The front six (sometimes seven) is pretty much set for now. An explosive rotational piece behind B.J. Hill would be a welcomed addition, but that will have to be added during the Draft if addressed at all. Another edge to continue pushing Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample also couldn't hurt. 

Before we go, the specialists haven't changed, but expect competition at punter and both returner spots. 

  • Long snapper: Cal Adomitis
  • Punter/holder: Drue Chrisman
  • Placekicker: Evan McPherson
  • Kickoff returner: Trayveon Williams
  • Punt Returner: Trent Taylor