The NFL Draft is over, and free company has slowed.
There are a handful of recognizable gamers accessible who haven’t but been signed, however they’ll most likely sit the place they’re for some time as groups see what they’ve proper now. I’m certain the massive names will land someplace, however it could be after minicamps have began or after June 1, when some cap casualty cuts are made.
Proper now, there are over 70 gamers on the roster, however right here’s my finest guess at who will likely be left after the Cincinnati Bengals whittle it all the way down to 53.
Quarterback: Joe Burrow, Trevor Siemian
There’s no motive to hold a 3rd quarterback on the roster they usually signed Siemian for a motive. The Bengals are, and have been, to the purpose the place all their eggs are within the Burrow basket. They’ll stay and die by him. If he will get harm, the season is over. They’ve a backup quarterback on the roster simply so there’s anyone who can take snaps if Burrow can’t.
Operating again: Joe Mixon, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams
There’s nonetheless an opportunity Mixon is reduce and changed after June 1 as a result of it will save the Bengals just a little over $10 million, and he nonetheless does have pending authorized points. However at this level, I’d wager he’s the RB1 when the season begins. The Bengals didn’t substitute him in free company or the draft. They did substitute Samaje Perine, although, by drafting Brown. Trayveon Williams ought to have a considerably expanded position this yr. My guess is Chris Evens is gone. He doesn’t get any taking part in time, and no one actually is aware of why.
Vast receiver: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Charlie Jones, Trent Irwin, Andrei Iosivas
Chase, Higgins, and Boyd are the perfect trio of extensive receivers within the NFL. It will seemingly be their final yr collectively. The Bengals chosen Jones within the fourth spherical and clearly have plans for him sooner or later. Trent Irwin was concerned greater than Taylor in 2023, and the upside of Iosivas is just too excessive to miss.
Tight finish: Irv Smith Jr., Drew Pattern, Devin Asiasi
The Bengals didn’t seize a decent finish within the draft, which exhibits they’re okay with their starter being Irv Smith Jr., who signed as a free agent on a one-year deal. Smith has some damage issues and will likely be backed up by Pattern and Asiasi. That is the thinnest roster spot on the offensive depth chart.
Offensive line (starters in Week 1): Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams
The Relaxation: Jackson Carman, La’el Collins, Hakeem Adeniji, Trey Hill, Cody Ford, D’Ante Smith
If Jonah Williams is wholesome in Week 1, I anticipate him to start out reverse of Brown, however the inside offensive line will seemingly stay the identical. If Williams struggles with the transition, I may see Carman shifting in or Collins as soon as he’s wholesome. As for the remainder of the backups, the Bengals clearly like versatile guys who can play a number of positions like Ford, Adeniji, and Carman.
Defensive finish: Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Cam Pattern
The Bengals added Murphy within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft to assist the protection enhance their cross rush. He’ll be a rotational piece. Hubbard or Murphy might be able to rotate inside on apparent passing downs as properly. Ossai and Pattern, like Murphy, will rotate and provides starters a breather.
Defensive deal with: DJ Reader, B.J. Hill, Zach Carter, Josh Tupou, Jeff Gunter
That is the defensive place with the least depth. Reader and Hill are the starters and Carter, Tupou, and Gunter will rotate out and in simply to offer the 2 massive guys the occasional breather, however the Bengals may (and possibly ought to) look so as to add some extra depth right here. That is additionally Reader’s final yr below contract.
Linebacker: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Tarell Basham
The Bengals’ base protection could also be a 3-4, however they play in nickel the overwhelming majority of the time, with an additional defensive again and two linebackers. Wilson and Pratt are the 2 starters, and ADG will get some snaps as properly. Basham would go in when an additional cross rusher is required. That is Wilson’s final yr below contract.
Cornerback: Chidobe Awuzie, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mike Hilton, DJ Turner, Sidney Jones IV, Jalen Davis
The Bengals fastened their cornerback depth drawback by choosing Turner within the second spherical of the draft. He’ll seemingly step in first if there’s a difficulty with one of many starters on the surface. Davis will likely be Hilton’s backup within the slot, they usually have Jones as properly if he’s wanted. DJ Ivey, who was drafted as properly, most likely doesn’t make the reduce.
Security: Dax Hill, Nick Scott, Jordan Battle, Michael Thomas, Tycen Anderson
After dropping Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III, the Bengals wish to substitute them with Hill and Scott, however they chose Battle within the third spherical, who may push Scott for a beginning spot in some unspecified time in the future this yr. I feel they’ll hold Anderson round for a fifth security simply due to the relative inexperience on the place, they usually might must hold their choices open.
PK: Evan McPherson
P and H: Brad Robbins
LS: Cal Adomitis
McPherson continues to be the kicker, and the Bengals wouldn’t have drafted Robbins in the event that they didn’t plan on him being the crew’s punter when the season begins, and there’s no want to interchange Adomitis.
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That is most likely not appropriate. The tough half is who backs who up and the place. The Bengals have a number of offensive linemen who may play a number of spots. Does that imply they hold much less backups? The identical goes for a number of totally different positions. The Bengals may nonetheless transfer on from Mixon or discover a higher backup in free company on the offensive or line of defense.
The NFL modified the principles so that there’s just one required reduce day now, and it’s going to be on August twenty ninth. We gained’t absolutely know which gamers will make the 53-man roster till that day, however outdoors of some bubble gamers, now we have a reasonably good thought.
Who do you assume I neglected? Who do you assume is on my roster that gained’t make it?