We’re only a week away from real NFL football. The preseason is over, cuts are officially announced today, all fantasy leagues are drafting players this week/weekend, and we (hopefully you’re there) are celebrating a three-day weekend!

Everything is fine in the world.

The Cincinnati Bengals will announce their final 53-man roster today at 4 p.m. ET, and then it’s just a matter of waiting.

While we wait, let’s discuss which Bengals rookies will have the biggest impact on the team in 2024.

Candidate:

Amarius Mims, RT

Mims is dealing with a pectoral muscle issue that will keep him out of action for several weeks. He wasn’t expected to start at right tackle this season since the Bengals signed Trent Brown to do that, but having him as an option would have been nice, especially considering Brown is dealing with lower back tightness.

However, Brown has a history of injuries and Mims could end up being on the field quite often.

Kris Jenkins, DT

The Bengals selected Jenkins in the second round out of Michigan to stop the run. That’s what Jenkins did great at Michigan, and he appears to be a top-notch locker room player as well.

He won’t be in the starting lineup, but hopefully he’ll play in rotation with Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill to help those guys stay fresh late into games and gain some needed experience along the way.

Jermaine Burton, WR

Burton has been exciting to watch this preseason. He finished the season with over 150 yards and two touchdowns, looks explosive, and is an accomplished route runner. The Bengals have a hole at WR3 now that Tyler Boyd is with the Titans, but that could be an improvement for the offense as Ja’Marr Chase could play in the slot.

Burton will compete for snaps with Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones and Trenton Irwin.

Erick All, TE

The Bengals’ two best options at the tight end position, at least right now, are Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample. Gesicki is more of a slot receiver than an in-line tight end, and the Bengals use Sample like an H-back.

All fell to the fourth round due to injury concerns, but when he was healthy in college, he was compared to George Kittle. If the Bengals draft All early, he could have a great rookie season. But are there too many mouths to feed to include All?

I don’t think the other draft picks are realistic options. McKinnley Jackson is recovering from an injury; Josh Newton will likely make the team but will be used primarily on special teams; the same goes for Daijah Anthony if he makes the team. Tanner McLachlan is way down the tight end depth chart if he makes the team, and the same goes for Cedric Johnson on the edge. And while Matt Lee has his job as the team’s backup center secured, if all goes well he may not play at all.

So who do you think it will be?

A few more things:

• Ja’Marr Chase is working out, which is great, but I don’t think that’s a guarantee that the team and their best wide receiver are close to a deal. Chase could have perhaps just waited until the preseason was over before he was willing to risk an injury. I think it would be a mistake not to get it done before Week 1, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
• Should the Bengals get Samaje Perine? He was a great option for Joe Burrow out of the backfield, both as a receiver and as a blocker. After Joe Mixon left, the Bengals signed Zack Moss, who is also a solid blocker out of the backfield. It’s unclear how many running backs the Bengals will keep and if it’s four, who the fourth will be. Chris Evans is injured. Who else on the roster is a better option than Perine? No one, but do they need him? I’d say not as much as last offseason, but I’d still welcome him back with open arms. You?
• The Bengals will start against the Patriots in all orange. I can’t wait to see the new uniform combination.
• While the regulars got a few snaps, we’ll get our first look at some of the new additions, specifically Trent Brown and Geno Stone. Both are expected to make big contributions, and if the Bengals continue their recent success in signing free agents, both could have fantastic seasons.
• Fantasy draft season is in full swing. Which Bengals are you targeting and in which round? Are there any great names for fantasy teams with a connection to the Bengals?

Relevant lyrics: (I have small children and know so many Disney songs by heart).

And I’m almost there, I’m almost there
People will come here from everywhere
And I’m almost there, I’m almost there

Who are you?