Things continue to become a bit clearer for the Cincinnati Bengals from a 53-man roster perspective heading into the fourth preseason game.
This happens partially due to poor performances that push the stock needle in a negative direction for some players. Whether it is poor performances or a numbers crunch because others are performing well, these players have stock dipping at the worst possible time.
WR Josh Malone
Bengals coaches are giving Malone chances on special teams so he can make the roster. But it was telling undrafted Damion Willis and Auden Tate got the nod as starters with the first team for the third preseason game.
Malone caught a touchdown late, but the fact he was on the field then says quite a bit.
WR Cody Core
Core had another rough outing and falls into the same categories as Malone at this point. For a player propped up as an ace on special teams, he seemed to make a big mistake on a punt that went back for a touchdown.
Considering coaches have singled out rookies like Willis and Stanley Morgan as quality blockers, Core might not be long for the roster.
OL Christian Westerman
Westerman ended up returning to the Bengals before last Wednesday’s deadline after leaving the team for personal reasons.
But it might be too late. Westerman wasn’t getting many looks at guard while rookie Michael Jordan has started two games in a row with the first team at left guard. John Jerry, Billy Price and Trey Hopkins have also moved around to guard spots.
DL Andrew Brown
Brown looks good! But so does everyone else.
There are worse fates than ending up on the practice squad, which barring injury, seems like where he’s headed. He’s clearly got big upside the team wants to groom, but even keeping 10 is a tall task, so the nod might go to more refined, experienced players like Kerry Wynn and Jordan Willis.
LB Malik Jefferson
Jefferson had another rough showing in the third week of the preseason, including a holding penalty.
At this point, the numbers game suggests the Bengals probably only keep five linebackers. That leaves Jefferson on the outs, as they’ll want to roster the upside of rookies Germaine Pratt and Deshaun Davis. Either way, the position is still a big problem — but they shouldn’t have any problem stashing Jefferson on the practice squad.
DB Davontae Harris
The numbers game comes into play here again.
Darius Philips is safe and the arrival of B.W. Webb makes corner a deeper spot than last year. That leaves the odd-fitting Harris out, as the 151st pick of last year’s draft simply hasn’t popped regardless of where he’s played.
