Here’s a second look at the Bengals’ possible final roster.
The Cincinnati Bengals play football on Thursday! It’s only preseason football, but it’s better than no football! Zac Taylor says Joe Burrow and the rest of the starters will play, but it’s unclear as to how much. Hopefully, we see a well-oiled machine on the field in Philadelphia Thursday night, but at worst, we’ll see some new faces get some game action.
As we head into the team’s first of three preseason games, here’s my second go at predicting the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
Quarterback (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Jake Browning
Notes: No changes here. Browning has done it when it matters, and as much as it would be awesome to see a local UC kid get the backup spot, the team has to do what’s best. Right now, Browning is best.
Running Back (3)
- Chase Brown
- Samaje Perine
- Tahj Brooks
Notes: I’m keeping an extra offensive player, which means I have to sacrifice someone somewhere. As much as I like Chase Brown and the other running backs, it’s easily among the least important positions on the Bengals’ roster. This offense flows through the quarterback and the passing game. Having a running game is just gravy.
So three running backs it is.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charlie Jones
- Jermaine Burton
- Isaiah Williams
Notes: There’s not much difference here. Those top five spots are locks, barring injury, but Isaiah Williams appears on the team’s first official depth chart behind Tee Higgins, so, at least for now, he’s WR6.
Tight End (4)
- Mike Gesicki
- Noah Fant
- Drew Sample
- Tanner Hudson
Notes: The Bengals added Fant as a free agent last week on a one-year deal. The former first-round pick will provide Burrow with another downfield threat from the tight end position to pair with Gesicki. This does mean Tanner McLachlan is out.
Offensive Line (10)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Dylan Fairchild
- Ted Karras
- Lucas Patrick
- Amarius Mims
- Cody Ford
- Cordell Volson
- Matt Lee
- Devin Cochran
- Jalen Rivers
Notes: I had the Bengals keeping nine linemen in my first go, but that’s changing to 10 in version 2.0. For the Bengals, the name of the game on offense is going to be keeping Burrow upright so he can do what he does best. Despite the fireworks on offense throughout the 2024 season, Burrow was hit way too much. There is a good offensive line in this group of 10 guys. The coaches just need to find it.
Defensive Line (10)
- Trey Hendrickson
- BJ Hill
- T.J. Slaton Jr.
- Joseph Ossai
- Shemar Stewart
- Myles Murphy
- McKinnley Jackson
- Kris Jenkins Jr.
- Cam Sample
- Cedric Johnson
Notes: Stewart is under contract, and Hendrickson is back in Cincinnati “holding in.” It’s better than holding out in Jacksonville, and since there’s positive movement, I’m still assuming Hendrickson is going to be starting for the Bengals in 2025. No other changes.
Linebackers (5)
- Logan Wilson
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Oren Burks
- Barrett Carter
- Maema Njongmeta
Notes: I thought about losing Njongmeta for that extra offensive lineman, but decided against it. The defense was the cause of most of the team’s woes in 2024, and I’d feel more comfortable losing a running back than a fifth linebacker.
Cornerback (6)
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- DJ Turner
- Dax Hill
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
- Marco Wilson
Notes: There’s a minor change here. On the Bengals’ first depth chart, they have Hill as the team’s starting nickel corner, and instead of Jalen Davis, Mike Hilton’s long-time backup, behind him, Josh Newton is. So Davis is out and Wilson is in as CB6.
Safety (4)
- Geno Stone
- Jordan Battle
- Tycen Anderson
- Daijahn Anthony
Notes: No change here.
Special Teams (3)
- Evan McPherson (K)
- Ryan Rehkow (P)
- Cal Adomitis (LS)
Notes: No change here.
What are your thoughts?
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Who Dey!