Cincy Jungle
Here’s a second look at the Bengals’ possible final roster.
The Cincinnati Bengals play football on Thursday! It’s only preseason football, but it’s better than no football! Zac Taylor says Joe Burrow and the rest of the starters will play, but it’s unclear as to how much. Hopefully, we see a well-oiled machine on the field in Philadelphia Thursday night, but at worst, we’ll see some new faces get some game action.
As we head into the team’s first of three preseason games, here’s my second go at predicting the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
Notes: No changes here. Browning has done it when it matters, and as much as it would be awesome to see a local UC kid get the backup spot, the team has to do what’s best. Right now, Browning is best.
Notes: I’m keeping an extra offensive player, which means I have to sacrifice someone somewhere. As much as I like Chase Brown and the other running backs, it’s easily among the least important positions on the Bengals’ roster. This offense flows through the quarterback and the passing game. Having a running game is just gravy.
So three running backs it is.
Notes: There’s not much difference here. Those top five spots are locks, barring injury, but Isaiah Williams appears on the team’s first official depth chart behind Tee Higgins, so, at least for now, he’s WR6.
Notes: The Bengals added Fant as a free agent last week on a one-year deal. The former first-round pick will provide Burrow with another downfield threat from the tight end position to pair with Gesicki. This does mean Tanner McLachlan is out.
Notes: I had the Bengals keeping nine linemen in my first go, but that’s changing to 10 in version 2.0. For the Bengals, the name of the game on offense is going to be keeping Burrow upright so he can do what he does best. Despite the fireworks on offense throughout the 2024 season, Burrow was hit way too much. There is a good offensive line in this group of 10 guys. The coaches just need to find it.
Notes: Stewart is under contract, and Hendrickson is back in Cincinnati “holding in.”...
