The Cincinnati Bengals exit the mandatory minicamp session with quite the interesting outlook heading into training camp.
With Zac Taylor and his new staff leading the way, a summer of turnover could occur as training camp weeds out those who don’t fit. The roster still has its mainstay stars, of course, but veterans known to coaches along the offensive line and defense have arrived to mix things up — not to mention another rookie draft class.
Here’s a quick look at a 53-man roster projection based on the happenings so far.
Quarterback (3)
- Andy Dalton
- Ryan Finley
- Jacob Dolegala
If Finley keeps struggling, the Bengals won’t have a choice but to keep three passers. They might not like it, but they also can’t risk letting Dolegala get poached off the practice squad.
Running Back (4)
- Joe Mixon
- Giovani Bernard
- Trayveon Williams
- Rodney Anderson
Nothing too surprising at running back. Provided Anderson is healthy and going through the paces in training camp, he’ll likely start the season on the roster.
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Wide Receiver (6)
- AJ Green
- Tyler Boyd
- Alex Erickson
- John Ross
- Auden Tate
- Stanley Morgan Jr.
Josh Malone is one of the guys left out here after struggling to show much when given a chance. The coaches have to love the situational big-play ability of Tate. It also seems like a matter of time before Morgan Jr. leaves his mark and fights for a spot. Erickson is all-around too valuable to sacrifice.
Tight End (4)
- CJ Uzomah
- Tyler Eifert
- Drew Sample
- Mason Schreck
The Bengals could probably do with three here. But a combination of Eifert’s injury history and Sample’s rookie status make it four, which means a favorite of the last coaching staff, Schreck, makes it aboard.
Offensive Line (9)
- Cordy Glenn
- Clint Boling
- Michael Jordan
- Billy Price
- Trey Hopkins
- John Miller
- John Jerry
- Jonah Williams
- Bobby Hart
Jim Turner’s offensive line clearly likes veteran experience and versatility, which means a new arrival like Jerry sticks. That shoves aside Christian Westerman, who was without a spot anyway. Consider him a trade candidate. Ditto for Boling. Alex Redmond gets the boot after a run-in with the league.
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Defensive Line (8)
- Carlos Dunlap
- Sam Hubbard
- Andrew Billings
- Renell Wren
- Geno Atkins
- Ryan Glasgow
- Kerry Wynn
- Carl Lawson
Similar story here with Wynn, who has experience with coordinator Lou Anarumo. He’ll stick as a rotational piece while Hubbard and Dunlap start. Billings has steadily improved and Glasgow still has some promise, but they also have to fit the rookie Wren in there. Underachievers like Jordan Willis get stuck on the outside looking in.
Linebacker (6)
- Nick Vigil
- Germaine Pratt
- Preston Brown
- Deshaun Davis
- Jordan Evans
- Malik Jefferson
The rookie Pratt figures to have a large rotational presence right out of the gates. But the projection still hinges on someone like Jefferson finally realizing some of their potential to pitch in and help.
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Cornerback (6)
- Dre Kirkpatrick
- BW Webb
- Davontae Harris
- William Jackson III
- Darius Phillips
- Darqueze Dennard
Webb is another former Giants player who should be in the mix right away. He was initially Dennard insurance but now both are on the roster. The depth never hurts. Both rookies from a year ago return too, though it would be nice to see Phillips prioritized on returns.
Safety (4)
- Shawn Williams
- Clayton Fejedelem
- Jessie Bates III
- Brandon Wilson
Fejedelem morphed into a superb piece last year behind the obvious starters, making this an easy position to nail down.
Special Teams (3)
- Kevin Huber
- Randy Bullock
- Clark Harris
New coaching staff or not, there isn’t much sense in ripping apart the trio here.
