NOTE: This is the fourth of a 10-part series detailing each position group for the Bengals heading into 2025 training camp, which begins on July 23, and culminating with a 53-player roster projection.

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – This part takes a look at the wide receiver position and who is a lock to make the 53-man roster when it’s finalized on Aug. 26, who is in a battle to make it and who are longshots to make it:

How many will likely be kept: 6

Lock to make it: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas

Battling to make it: Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Williams, Kendric Pryor, Cole Burgess

Longshot to make it: Mitchell Tinsley, Rashod Owens, Jordan Moore, Jamoi Mayes

The Skinny: The Bengals have perhaps the best 1-2 punch at this position in the NFL in Chase and Higgins, and both have the distraction behind them of having their contracts extended after both signed lucrative long-term deals in March.

The big questions for this group are: Can Iosivas take another step forward to becoming a bigger threat as the No. 3 receiver, and how will the depth behind them shake out?

Chase is coming off a season in which he pulled off the rare receiving, “Triple Crown,” when he lead the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown catches (17).

Higgins finished with 73 receptions for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. The 6.1 receptions per game were a single-season career-high for Higgins.

The dropoff in production after them is pretty stark, although it should noted that tight end Mike Gesicki essentially serves that No. 3 receiver role.

Iosivas stepped into the No. 3 wide receiver spot left open when Tyler Boyd walked as a free agent, and had 36 catches, which was fifth-most on the team and third among wide receivers. His 478 yards was fourth-most on the team and also third among wide receivers. Iosivas also had six touchdowns.

The depth after the top three all come with question marks:

– Jones, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has been limited to 19 games played due to injuries, and much of his time has been spent as a punt and kickoff returner. He has a scant eight career receptions for 69 yards.

– Burton, a third-round pick in 2024, was a disaster on the field and off as a rookie and had four receptions for 102 yards and returned kickoffs in place of Jones when he was out. Burton has a lot of talent, but also has a lot to prove on the field and as a professional.

– The 5-foot-10, 186-pound Williams is a second-year player who was signed off waivers from the Detroit Lions on Nov. 8, 2024. He played six games for the Bengals after being signed, but only returned punts and a few kickoffs. He did not record a reception after having two catches for six yards in two games played with the Lions.

– Pryor has played only two regular-season games in three seasons with Jacksonville and the Bengals and has one career catch for nine yards.

– Burgess spent all of last season on the Bengals practice squad.

– Tinsley spent last season on the Washington Commanders practice squad, while Owens, Moore and Mayes are all undrafted free agent signees.

BENGALS TRAINING CAMP POSITION PREVIEW SCHEDULE

July 7: QuarterbackJuly 8:Running BackJuly 9: Tight EndJuly 10: Wide ReceiverJuly 11: Offensive lineJuly 14: Defensive lineJuly 15: LinebackerJuly 16: SecondaryJuly 17: SpecialistsJuly 18: 5 questions facing the team entering training camp and a 53-player roster projection