4 Bengals veterans in danger of losing their roster spot after 2020 NFL draft

The Cincinnati Bengals should have one of the more intriguing roster bubbles in the NFL this offseason.

So it goes for a team that spent big in free agency and drafted well while finally getting around to a roster reset.

The following mainstays of two seasons or more are in danger on the bubble.

 

Jordan Evans, LB

Oct 28, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries (10) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Jordan Evans (50) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It’s now or never for Evans. While there is some value to having Evans around as a carryover who can help teach others the defense, he’s facing some serious pressure.

Evans was one of the guys who struggled big time last year in Lou Anarumo’s defense, hence the 61.5 PFF grade. The Bengals can only keep so many linebackers and added three in the draft, Josh Bynes in free agency, claimed Austin Calitro and have a guy in undrafted free agent Marcel Spears who could end up stealing a roster spot.

Ryan Glasgow, DL

Nov 26, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow (98) against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Glasgow has posted moments on the field where onlookers can only say “wow.”

But the moments are fleeting. The 2014 fourth-round pick played in just three games in 2018 and just five more in 2019. He’s a candidate to lose by sheer numbers. Cincinnati added D.J. Reader in free agency, who joins Geno Atkins and Josh Tupou. There’s little chance the team already wants to give up on the massive upside of Renell Wren either and some of the edge guys like Andrew Brown still have the ability to play inside if asked.

Shawn Williams, S

Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Shawn Williams (36) leans against the goal posts before the NFL preseason game between Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.Cincinnati Bengals New York Giants

Williams is an incredible leader and guy in the locker room. He also toughed through 16 games while hurt last year.

But hurt or not, Williams took a downswing last year to the tune of a 54.4 PFF grade. He also let up 78.4 percent of his targets and missed 14.9 percent of his tackles.

Cincinnati responded by adding Vonn Bell in free agency. Given the emphasis on character and leadership during free agency and the draft, Williams might be an odd man out.

Billy Price, OL

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Finley (5) and center Billy Price (53) practice snaps during warmups before kickoff of the NFL Week 3 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at New Era Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019.Cincinnati Bengals At Buffalo Bills

This might be the end of the line for Price.

The 2018 first-round pick was in and out of the lineup as a rookie with injury and never looked comfortable. A new coaching staff got their hands on him and gave Trey Hopkins the starting job before he couldn’t really win a job at guard either, playing just 54 percent of the snaps to the tune of a 41.8 PFF grade.

Price won’t have a familiarity advantage against Michael Jordan this year, Alex Redmond is back and the team added Xavier Su’a-Filo in free agency and Hakeem Adeniji in the draft. He’s going to have to win a heated competition just to stick on the roster.