It’s time again for another stab at predicting who will make it on the Cincinnati Bengals’ final 53-man roster. We’re through two of the three preseason games, having just wrapped up their appearance on Monday Night Football against the Commanders, a game they won by a score of.
Someone asked me to include who gets cut this time, so I did that.
Here we go!
Quarterback (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Jake Browning
Cut: Desmond Ridder, Payton Thorne
Notes: Browning looked like his old, reliable self against the
Commanders. Jumping from him to Desmond Ridder last week was jumping the gun a little.
Running Back (3)
- Chase Brown
- Tahj Brooks
- Samaje Perine
Cut: Gary Brightwell, Quali Conley, Kendall Milton
Notes: Brown is, without a doubt, the lead back, and I watched Brooks, a rookie, step up as a pass blocker against the Eagles and the Commanders. Perine is a reliable veteran to round out the room. This offense flows through Burrow, not the running backs. What they bring is a bonus. There’s no need to keep more than three.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charley Jones
- Jermaine Burton
- Mitchell Tinsley
Cut: Cole Burgess, Jamoi Mayes, Jordan Moore, Rashod Owens, Isaiah Williams
Notes: Tinsley earns my vote after scoring two touchdowns on back-to-back offensive plays (separated by an interception and an extra point). That’ll land him a spot on the final roster.
Tight End (4)
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Noah Fant
- Tanner Hudson
Cut: Cam Grandy, Tanner McLachlan
Notes: No changes here. Gesicki, Sample, and Fant are locks, and Hudson has been solid all preseason. He’s earned his spot.
Offensive Line (10)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Dylan Fairchild
- Ted Karras
- Lucas Patrick
- Amarius Mims
- Cordell Volson
- Matt Lee
- Jalen Rivers
- Cody Ford
- Seth McLaughlin
Cut: Devin Cochran, Andrew Coker, Jaxson Kirkland, Andrew Raym, Andrew Stueber, Caleb Etienne
Notes: No change here. Hopefully, the Bengals and Dalton Risner, who’s reportedly coming to Cincinnati for a visit, can come to an agreement, because right guard looks like a problem. Again.
Defensive Line (10)
- Trey Hendrickson
- B.J. Hill
- T.J. Slaton
- Joseph Ossai
- Shemar Stewart
- Myles Murphy
- Kris Jenkins
- McKinnley Jackson
- Cam Sample
- Cedric Johnson
Cut: Isaiah Thomas, McTelvin Agim, Eric Gregory, Taven Bryan, Howard Cross III, Raymond Johnson III
Notes: This is so tough. I really do think the Bengals and Hendrickson get a deal together, but I also have a hard time believing he’ll sit out when he’s on the wrong side of 30. I think the Bengals know that, and it’s a crappy way to do business, and it shows all the young guys in the locker room what they have to look forward to, but I think Trey plays in 2025, no matter what.
I hope.
Linebacker (5)
- Logan Wilson
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Oren Burks
- Barrett Carter
- Maema Njongmeta
Cut: Joe Giles-Harris, Shaka Heyward, Craig Young
Notes: I really like both rookies, Knight and Carter, and I think Njongmeta can contribute on special teams and add a thumping run stopper in certain situations.
Cornerback (6)
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Dax Hill
- D.J. Turner II
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
- Marco Wilson
Cut: Nate Brooks, Jalen Davis, Bralyn Lux, Lance Robinson
Notes: No changes here. There’s not a ton of experience in the room, and they could have benefited from a veteran free agent in the room, even if he’s not starting.
Safety (4)
- Geno Stone
- Jordan Battle
- Tycen Anderson
- Daijahn Anthony
Cut: PJ Jules, Jaylen Key, Shaquan Loyal
Notes: Safety is another position that could have really benefited from a free agent. It’s still possible, I guess, but if they don’t make a move, the four guys listed above are locks.
Special Teams (3)
- Evan McPherson
- Ryan Rehkow
- Cal Adomitis
Cut: William Wagner
Notes: No changes here from last week.
What do you think?
Sound off!
