The Cincinnati Bengals face the good problem of needing to make some brutally tough decisions in order to form a final 53-man roster.
That won’t happen until after the team’s final preseason game next weekend. Still, some of the developments in training camp and exhibitions themselves have started to help make the final roster picture a little clearer.
There are tough — but necessary — calls the team will have to make in both trenches and even on special teams.
These players are the best who might miss the final 53-man roster, which would put them in a position to find work elsewhere if the Bengals can’t find another way to keep them in some capacity.
WR Trent Taylor
Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and rookies Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones. That’s five, plus it’s hard to imagine the team lets Trenton Irwin go. So unless they keep seven, Taylor — a capable player in the base offense and on returns — might lose out on the numbers game.
OL Hakeem Adeniji
The rise of D’Ante Smith hurts Adeniji. So does the unknown presence of La’el Collins, who could start on the PUP or go to the active roster. Either way, the Bengals have Jackson Carman looking comfortable as a left tackle backup and the combo of Cody Ford and Max Scharping appear to have interior backup spots covered.
RB Chris Evans
How many running backs do they keep? Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams and rookie Chase Brown, surely. Evans has seemed to turn a corner, but do they opt to just call up a practice squad ‘back each week rather than roster four?
DE Jeff Gunter
This one hurts because Gunter was such a fun late-round breakout roster member last year. He’s still ascending, but the team drafted Myles Murphy and names like Raymond Johnson and even Owen Carney have been making some plays. If Murphy is hardly projecting to crack the active roster on game day thanks to Cam Sample, does Gunter make it at all?
DE Tarell Basham
Same story for Basham, who had the fun Ohio U. and Burrow connection when coming over in free agency. But that was before other moves and the team might opt for younger players they can stash.
CB Sidney Jones
Jones has looked uncomfortable in the scheme at times at the same time second-rounder DJ Turner has surged and seventh-rounder DJ Ivey has far exceeded expectations. Jalen Davis is a lock behind Mike Hilton in the slot and the team has to keep five safeties, so Jones’ time in town might be brief.
P Drue Chrisman
Unfortunately for Chrisman, this hasn’t felt like much of a competition. He had the absence due to a medical issue and rookie Brad Robbins has felt like the favorite regardless.
