The preseason is over, at least for the Cincinnati Bengals. They defeated the Eagles in Philadelphia on Friday by a score of 30-13. Now we have a week off, and then the season starts.
Before we can officially get started, though, the Bengals need to trim their roster down to 53. Here’s a final attempt at guessing who will make the cut and who won’t.
Cut: Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson
Chase BrownSamaje PerineTahj Brooks
Cut: Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton
Notes: No changes, despite Bullock’s solid fourth quarter. The Bengals are dangerously thin here, and I wouldn’t mind seeing them add someone here.
Ja’Marr ChaseTee HigginsAndrei IosivasDohnte MeyersColbie YoungCharlie Jones
Cut: Xavier Johnson, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams, Kendrick Pryor, Mitchell Tinsley
Notes: I think this will all come down to Tinsley or Jones for the last wide receiver spot on the roster. Tinsley may be a better receiver, but Jones adds his value as a return specialist. He was the return man throughout the first half on Friday night, and then flashed a little as a receiver in the second half.
I could see it going either way.
Mike GesickiDrew SampleJack EndriesErick All Jr. Tanner Hudson
Cut: Cam Grandy, Josh Kattus
Notes: I’ve gone back and forth between four or five tight ends. I’m landing on five.
Orlando Brown Jr.Dylan FairchildTed KarrasDalton RisnerAmarius MimsJalen RiversConner LewBrian Parker IIJavon Foster
Cut: Corey Robinson II, Christian Jones, Liam Brown, Jacob Bayer, Andrew Coker
Notes: I think this is another position where the Bengals are dangerously thin. If there’s only one thing they address before the regular season starts, it has to be swing tackle.
DE Boye MafeDT Dexter Lawrence IIDT Jonathan AllenDE Shemar StewartDE Myles MurphyDT B.J. HillDT Kris Jenkins Jr.DT T.J. Slaton Jr.DE Cashius HowellDT Landon RobinsonDE Cedric Johnson
Cut: DT Howard Cross III, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson, DE Isaiah Foskey
Notes: Foskey was everywhere in the first half on Friday night, racking up multiple sacks, but I just don’t think it’s enough to crack a really deep line.
Demetrius Knight Jr.Barrett CarterOren BurksSwayze Bozeman
Cut: Joe Giles-Harris, Jack Dingle, Eric Gentry, Antwan Powell-Ryland, Liam Anderson, Shaka Heyward
Notes: Knight, Carter, Burks, and Bozeman have earned a spot. I had Heyward as a fifth linebacker before I added a fifth tight end.
DJ Turner IIDax HillJalen DavisDJ IveyJa’Sir TaylorTacario Davis
Cut: Jalen Kimber, Bralyn Lux, Ceyair Wright, Josh Newton
Notes: Davis was outstanding throughout the first half on Friday, but I don’t think his roster position was in doubt heading into the game. Could the Bengals add depth here? Possibly, but I think these are the six the Bengals go into the season with.
Bryan CookJordan BattleKyle DuggerPJ Jules
Cut: Russ Yeast, Isaiah Nwokobia, Daijahn Anthony
Notes: I could see Jules or Anthony as the fourth safety.
K – Evan McPhersonP – Ryan RehkowLS – William Wagner