The Cincinnati Bengals are two-thirds of the way through the preseason and are getting closer to a 53-man roster. Although the Bengals were dominated by the Bears 27-3 in Chicago on Saturday, there were some highlights from players looking to make the team.
The Bengals rested all of their starters except for DJ Turner and Dax Hill, who started the game at fullback but only played two series. The Bears, on the other hand, kept their starting offense in the game for the entire first half and their starting defense for most of the first quarter.
As we prepare for the Bengals’ third and final preseason game, the coaches and team management staff are busy deciding who stays and who doesn’t.
Here is my latest prediction.
(Here is the picture after the first preseason game and the picture after the first round of OTAs)
quarterbacks (2)
Notes: No change here. Browning didn’t even play in this game, but neither Logan Woodside nor Rocky Lombardi played particularly well. There were a handful of turnovers and missed opportunities by both quarterbacks, and neither could get the team into the end zone. In their defense, they played second and third down for long stretches against the Bears’ core players.
Running back (3)
- Follow Braun
- Zack Moss
- Trayveon Williams
Notes: The injury to Chris Evans was very unfortunate and could make it easier for the Bengals to decide which running backs to keep on the roster. I like what Elijah Collins has done so far in the preseason and he would make the most sense, at least to me, as the fourth running back, but I don’t think his presence on the field has any more impact than another offensive or defensive player or an extra safety. I expect Williams to get a slightly bigger piece of the pie and for the offense to take a true committee approach.
Wide receiver (6)
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tea Higgins
- Jermaine Burton
- Thomas E.
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charlie Jones
Notes: Again, no changes. The only player on this list who even played on Saturday was Burton, and only for a few snaps before being taken out. It seems the Bengals are just looking for potential practice squad wide receivers right now. I can’t imagine them taking seven, either.
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Erick All Jr.
- Tanner McLachlan
Notes: Which Tanner? Both Tanners? That’s the big question. McLachlan appears to be a more capable receiver than Hudson, but not by a huge amount. Hudson, on the other hand, was a better run blocker on Saturday. They both played almost the same amount of special teams snaps. It seems neck and neck if there’s a competition for the fourth and final tight end spot on the roster. Could it be money? The Bengals would save a little more by releasing Hudson instead of McLachlan, but not much. My guess is if they keep four, McLachlan is the fourth, mostly because he’s been on the roster for four years, while Hudson has only been on the roster for one.
Offensive Line (10)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Cordell Volson
- Ted Karras
- Alex Cappa
- Trent Brown
- Amarius Mims
- Cody Ford
- Matt Lee
- Nate Gilliam
- Jaxson Kirkland
Notes: I think the offensive line has the most potential for change heading into the cutdown season. Jackson Carman was so bad in the first preseason game that he only played nine snaps in the second. Kirkland started at left tackle and played really well against the Bears’ starting defense. Nate Gilliam and Matt Lee played every snap at left guard and center, respectively, and both played well.
Because of injuries to Mims and possibly Trent Brown — it’s unclear if he will be out with a back problem after leaving joint practice with Chicago — the Bengals could keep 10 linemen instead of nine. Additionally, the team could add a free-agent tackle as injury cover if Mims and Brown aren’t healthy by Week 1. The potential this season is too high to leave to a backup offensive tackle.
Defensive line (9)
- Trey Hendrickson
- BJ Hill
- Sheldon Rankin
- Sam Hubbard
- Michael Murphy
- Joseph Ossai
- Kris Jenkins
- McKinley Jackson
- Zach Carter
Notes: Once again, the Bengals defensive backups were very efficient against the Bengals starting offense early in the game. Hendrickson, Hill, Rankins, Hubbard and Jackson did not play. Jenkins made his first NFL sack, Murphy and Ossai both showed off their strengths and Carter played well. The group played well enough and, when combined with the four starters, could form a deep rotation that keeps everyone fresh and healthy well into the playoffs.
Linebackers (5)
- Logan Wilson
- Germaine Pratt
- Akeem Davis Gaither
- Joe Bachie
- Maema Njongmeta
Notes: Nothing has changed here since last week. Wilson, Pratt and ADG didn’t play, and Bachie only played 13 snaps and looked good. He’s such an important member of the special teams that his spot is secure. Njongmeta has been great again at linebacker, and I think he’s definitely earned a spot on the roster.
Corner (6)
- Cam Taylor Britt
- DJ Turner II
- Michael Hilton
- Jalen Davis
- Dax Hill
- Josh Newton
Notes: This list hasn’t changed since last week. CTB, Turner, Hilton and Hill are set. Davis probably is too, considering he was Hilton’s long-time backup at nickel corner. Turner had an inconsistent game on Saturday, but he showed a ton of potential, especially as a rookie filling in for a guy like DJ Moore. I think this room is very talented and has a lot more players than I expected. I no longer think the team needs another veteran cornerback, and I’m excited about the young guys in the room.
Security (5)
- Geno-Stone
- Vonn Bell
- Battle of Jordan
- Tyce Anderson
- Daijah Anthony
Notes: The position was a low point of the 2023 season but has the potential to be a major strength in 2024. Stone and Bell, the expected starters, sat out, but the other three played. Battle earned his spot on the roster by exceeding expectations as a rookie last season. The big question is whether they will keep four or five safeties. The team likes Anthony, who was drafted this year, and they don’t really know what they have in Anderson yet because of his injury history. Both could be used on special teams, and perhaps one could develop into some sort of tight end specialist.
Specialists (3)
- Evan McPherson
- Cal Adomitis
- Brad Robbins
Notes: McPherson and Adomitis are set. It all comes down to the punter position. Robbins has a hip flexor issue and did not play against the Bears. Ryan Rehkow was the only punter on Saturday, but he did not really impress. Robbins now has a golden opportunity to win the position and decide the punter battle. However, if he struggles or his hip forces him to the bench, the team could look elsewhere. The punter position has been a problem for too long.
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Who did I leave out? Who did I leave in when I shouldn’t have?
Sound off.
Who are you?
