The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t see the toughest of final roster decisions become much easier in the aftermath of the preseason win over the Detroit Lions.
During that victory, rising players across the roster matched expectations. Some of the toughest spots, like wideout and across the defense, got some strong performances…and some extra surprises.
Here’s a quick look at an updated 53-man roster projection in response to the happenings in that game.
Bengals 53-man roster prediction before training camp
QBs (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Joe Flacco
There’s no roster debate at quarterback. The biggest debate might instead hinge on whether the team should keep trying to force so many under-center looks after the attempts got Joe Burrow blown up multiple times.
Cut: Josh Johnson, Sean Clifford
WRs (6)
- Tee Higgins
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Andrei Iosivas
- Ke’Shawn Williams
- Colbie Young
- Dohnte Meyers
Talk about an impossible position.
Draft pick Colbie Young has looked solid as an immediate backup. Ke’Shawn Williams has been name-dropped by coaches as in the returner competition, so he’s starting to knock Charlie Jones out of the running. And Dohnte Meyers has been one of the biggest stories of camp and looked great in the game, which makes things uncomfortable for Mitch Tinsley. Hard to imagine the Bengals keep seven, so this is where it lands for now.
Cut: Kendric Pryor, Charlie Jones, Xavier Johnson, Jordan Moore, Mitch Tinsley, Noah Thomas
RBs (3)
- Chase Brown
- Samaje Perine
- Tahj Brooks
Running back is more about whether the Bengals have a viable third at all, not who might make it. So far, it seems like they might want to look for some outside help behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine.
Cut: Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Kentrel Bullock, Jamal Haynes
TEs (4)
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Erick All Jr.
- Tanner Hudson
Rookie draft pick Jack Endries had a big night in the preseason opener. He’ll need to stack those days to crack a tough top four, though, if everyone exits the preseason healthy.
Cut: Cam Grandy, Jack Endries, Josh Kattus
OL (9)
- C Ted Karras
- LT Orlando Brown Jr.
- T-G Cody Ford
- LG Dalton Risner
- RT Amarius Mims
- G Dylan Fairchild
- OL Connor Lew
- T-G Brian Parker II
- T Andrew Coker
The actual nine or 10 outlook along the offensive line doesn't change much here. What’s notable is the rookie impact on depth. Connor Lew is all the way back and looks good. Brian Parker, another rookie draft pick, looks like a pro already out there and is showing the first signs of being a starting guard for a long time, once called upon.
Cut: T Javon Foster, C Jacob Bayer, G Liam Brown, Jalen Rivers, T Christian Jones, T Corey Robinson II
DL (10)
- DT Jonathan Allen
- DT B.J. Hill
- DT Dexter Lawrence II
- DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
- DE Boye Mafe
- DE Myles Murphy
- DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
- DE Shemar Stewart
- DE Cashius Howell
- DT Landon Robinson
Similar story in these trenches, where the nine or 10 doesn’t change all that much. Landon Robinson is a fun rookie story who won’t be denied. Somebody like McKinnley Jackson didn’t do enough to flash and make his case. Besides Robinson, the biggest fringe cut candidate here might be Kris Jenkins Jr., as expected, but he had a solid showing in the opener, too.
Cut: DE Isaiah Foskey, DT McKinnley Jackson, DT Jordan Jefferson, DE Cedric Johnson, DT Howard Cross III, Antwaun Powell-Ryland
LB (4)
- Barrett Carter
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Shaka Heyward
- Oren Burks
It still feels like the Bengals need help at linebacker. Not in a starter sense, but at least in terms of very strong veteran depth. Maybe there’s still a Bobby Wagner-like signing set to happen later in camp.
Cut: Joe Giles-Harris, Swayze Bozeman, Liam Anderson, Eric Gentry, Jack Dingle
DB (12)
- CB DJ Turner II
- CB Dax Hill
- CB Jalen Davis
- CB Ja’Sir Taylor
- CB DJ Ivey
- CB Josh Newton
- CB Bralyn Lux
- S Kyle Dugger
- S Bryan Cook
- S Jordan Battle
- S PJ Jules
- CB Tacario Davis
The Bengals have an impressive amount of depth here and it would be unwise to cut much of it. Guys like DJ Ivey are still great boundary corner backups. They need insurance at nickel like Ja’Sir Taylor behind Jalen Davis. And a veteran safety like Kyle Dugger quietly brings important depth and versatility.
Cut: S Daijahn Anthony, S Russ Yeast, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Ceyair Wright
ST (3)
- K Evan McPherson
- P Ryan Rehkow
- LS William Wagner
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals updated 53-man roster projection after first preseason game