Analysis of Cincinnati Bengals depth chart before NFL roster cut-down deadline

Posted by Admin August 23, 2024 NFL

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After the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale, Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. couldn’t stop smiling about his favorite play he has made all preseason.It wasn’t the vicious run block that opened up a massive hole at the line of scrimmage. It wasn’t his impressive screen. It was “the Willy Solid.”

The term describes a pass blocking technique All has been working on all summer. On this play, All and another tight end double teamed an edge rusher for a big block.

“At that position, you’ve got to get a bunch of reps and make a bunch of mistakes,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “You’ve got to see a bunch of things. (All) is intentful about improving every day. We’ve given him a lot of opportunity.”

All’s versatility gives him the ability to contribute right away. He has the best combination of run blocking, pass blocking and yards after the catch ability of any tight end on the Bengals, and he has shown flashes of all of those tools all summer.

All is rising up the depth chart, even though he doesn’t feel like he’s all the way back yet from the ACL he tore last October at the University of Iowa. As good as All looked with the ball in his hands after catching the screen on Thursday, All felt like he missed an opportunity.

“I should have made that guy miss,” All said. “Everyone said it looked good. But definitely I should have gotten more yards. I really haven’t shown everything I can do yet. I’m still getting better coming off of the knee injury. I’m doing the things they allow me to do and do it to the rest of my ability. But there’s more in the tank I can show them.”

Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks

Starter: Joe Burrow

Second team: Jake Browning

Zac Taylor on Joe Burrow: “The Colts practice was one of his best practices of the year. Reminiscent of many of the games he played last year when he was healthy. The accuracy. The decision making. The ball not touching the ground… That kind of put the nail in the coffin of training camp.”

Cincinnati Bengals running backs

Starter: Chase Brown

Second team: Zack Moss, Trayveon Williams

Running back is the position to watch on the waiver wire. The Bengals have been keeping tabs on Samaje Perine since he left in free agency, and they haven’t really replaced his skill set since he left for Denver. A reunion could round out that room.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers

Starters: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas

Second team: Charlie Jones, Trenton Irwin, Jermaine Burton

Charlie Jones checked a big box on Thursday following an injury scare earlier in training camp. His speed, athleticism and ability to shift gears were all on display during a 48-yard return that opened the game.

Cincinnati Bengals tight ends

Starter: Mike Gesicki

Second team: Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Erick All Jr.

The Bengals plan to use more two tight end sets this season, and they have the personnel and the depth to add new wrinkles into the offense.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive line

First team: Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown

Second team: Amarius Mims, Cody Ford, Jaxson Kirkland, Matt Lee

Two weeks ago, Matt Lee was scratching to get reps. Now, he has two standout preseason games under his belt. He has shown more potential during this stretch that Trey Hill has shown over the last few years with the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive line

First team: Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins, BJ Hill, Sam Hubbard

Second team: Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Zach Carter, Jay Tufele, Kris Jenkins, Cedric Johnson, McKinnley Jackson

Myles Murphy’s knee injury opens up an opportunity for rookie Cedric Johnson to get pass rushing snaps right away. Johnson feels ready for the role coming off of two standout preseason games where he created consistent pressure off the edge.

“I’ve improved a lot with the details, like finishing my rushes and how to make them even better,” Johnson. “I’ll keep honing in on that skill. I’m working on different moves. The swipe is getting home for me. Power is getting home for me. I’m just being around the edge.”

Cincinnati Bengals linebackers

First team: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt

Second team: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Maema Njongmeta

Njongmeta was relentless this preseason, whether he was on kickoff coverage or running the show as a middle linebacker. He delivered arguably the most impressive performance that an undrafted free agent during the preseason in Taylor’s tenure with the team.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerbacks

First team: Cam Taylor-Britt, Dax Hill, Mike Hilton

Second team: DJ Turner, Josh Newton

The story of the season on the Bengals’ defense will be Cam Taylor-Britt’s readiness to ascend into a No. 1 cornerback.

Cincinnati Bengals safeties

First team: Geno Stone, Vonn Bell

Second team: Daijahn Anthony, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson

Anthony has supplanted Anderson on the safety depth chart. Anderson remains one of the Bengals’ most valuable special teamers with his ability to do everything from punt protection to being the gunner on the punt block team. He’s a contributor in every special teams phase.