Bengals

• When taking a look at players who have impressed this preseason, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes Bengals WR Mitchell Tinsley has been his top player after recording two touchdowns in Cincinnati’s 31-17 win over the Commanders.
• Dehner notes Tinsley has been praised throughout training camp for his work ethic and consistency.
• If Tinsley somehow doesn’t make the active roster, Dehner could see the Bengals shopping him around to receiver-needy teams.
• Dehner has also been impressed by third-year WR Charlie Jones, writing he appears to have won the fifth receiver spot against Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Williams.
• Fourth-round LB Barrett Carter is another player Dehner has been impressed by after recording an interception in the second quarter against the Commanders.
• As for things Dehner’s been disappointed by, he writes Cincinnati’s entire first-team defense instead of just one player. He thinks the Bengals’ starters were “absolutely blown away” in both of their preseason games at the point of attack.
• Dehner believes there are early indications that their defense is getting “manhandled up front,” given Washington averaged 17.7 yards per carry against the starters.
• Bengals S Jordan Battle is another player Dehner writes has struggled after showing little effort in tackling Commanders QB Jayden Daniels during his touchdown run, while failing to fill a hole in their defense that allowed RB Chris Rodriguez to break a 40-yard run.
• Dehener also names G Lucas Patrick as someone who has disappointed, writing that he was taken out against the Commanders after Joe Burrow suffered a big hit.
• Dehner thinks HC Zac Taylor saying Patrick was “dinged” is a notable development because the veteran lineman has been a “weak link throughout camp” and was replaced by fifth-round OL Jalen Rivers.

Browns

• When giving his analysis of the Browns’ roster ahead of final cuts, Zac Jackson of The Athletic writes that QBs Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders, along with OL Zak Zinter, are “near” locks to make the active roster.
• Jackson writes that it seems like Cleveland is going to keep four quarterbacks on the roster with Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Pickett, and Sanders. In the end, Jackson thinks they will ideally trade one of their quarterbacks, but he’s unsure of how likely it is for a deal to be struck.
• Regarding Zinter, Jackson points out that he doesn’t appear to be the top backup at any position, but the Browns should still keep nine offensive linemen.
• As for Cleveland’s defense, Jackson names DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, DT Shelby Harris, CB Tony Brown, and LB Mohamoud Diabate are also near locks for the 53-man roster.
• Regarding players on the “right side” of the roster bubble, Jackson names RB Pierre Strong Jr., WR DeAndre Carter, TE Blake Whiteheart, and LB Winston Reid.
• Jackson thinks Whiteheart’s limited participation in training camp and Carter being held out of their recent preseason game are clues that they will make the roster....