The Cincinnati Bengals front office has been working to fill the roster holes with younger pieces moving into the next chapter of the Joe Burrow era.
The Bengals have drafted multiple pieces that have seen significant playing time very quickly, which naturally brings some growing pains for the roster.
But going into 2026, the young section of the roster is taking steps forward, and ESPN now has the Bengals ‘under-25 team’
ranked No. 20.ESPN’s Aaron Schatz wrote, “The Bengals climbed up a bit in these
rankings despite graduating most of their secondary. The youth that remains begins with the offensive line, as right tackle Mims and left guard Dylan Fairchild are both 23. So is guard Jalen Rivers, who started seven games last season because of injuries on the line. And fourth-round center Connor Lew will be 21 in August. The other position with a lot of youth is edge rusher: Myles Murphy is 24, and Shemar Stewart is 22; 2026 second-round pick Cashius Howell is 23. Behind those players, you’ll find linebacker Barrett Carter, who started 12 games as a rookie and doesn’t turn 24 until October, and 22-year-old third-round rookie cornerback Tacario Davis.”
Schatz has starting right tackle Amarius Mims listed as the Bengals’ ‘blue chip’ piece for their under-25 team, which makes sense considering his stellar play the past two seasons.
Again, it is safe to say the young pieces of the Bengals roster are improving and will carry a crucial load this upcoming season if Burrow and company hope to snap a 3-year playoff drought.
