Cincy Jungle
The long summer is nearing an end, at least as far as football is concerned. The Cincinnati Bengals, along with the rest of the NFL, are preparing to return to work at training camp as the league gears up for the preseason. Over the next couple of weeks, the front office will have to whittle down 90 players to 53.
Here’s my prediction of who those 53 players will be as training camp begins.
Here are the first four versions:
Cut: Sean Clifford, Josh Johnson
Notes: Unless there’s some sort of catastrophic injury, the two guys on the roster will be Burrow and Flacco.
Cut: Gary Brightwell, Kentrell Bullock, Jamal Haynes, Kendall Milton
Notes: I think there’s a very small chance the Bengals could find a running back they like in free agency during camp to add to the three above. However, I also think Zac Taylor and Dan Pitcher are comfortable with Brown, Perine and Brooks. I also expect Brooks’ role to be expanded.
Cut: Xavier Johnson, Dohnte Myers, Jordan Moore, Noah Thomas, Ke’Shawn Williams
Notes: Chase and Higgins are the best WR duo in the league. Higgins would be WR1 on almost any other team; he just happens to be teammates with the best wide receiver in the world. After them, though, there’s a considerable drop. The WR3 job is up for grabs, and could be a revolving door for the Bengals, based on the situation. I do think the Bengals keep six wide receivers and that WR6 job is up for grabs. Chase, Higgins, Iosivas, Jones and Tinsley are locks.
Active/NFI: Josh Kattus
Cut: Cam Grandy, Jack Endries
Notes: Gesicki is a tight end in name, but plays more like a slot receiver. Sample is used as an extra blocker more often than not, though watching him rumble forward with the ball is always incredible. Hudson has the trust of the coaches, and a healthy All could cut into the playing time of all of the guys ahead of him on the depth chart.
Hopefully the Bengals would be able to keep Endries on the practice squad.
Cut: OT Javon Foster, OT Corey Robinson II, OT Christian Jones, G Liam Brown, C Jacob Bayer
Notes: For the first time in Joe Burrow’s career, he’ll have the same offensive line lined up in front of him for two consecutive seasons. Risner joined the...
