Bengals release Week 1 depth chart

Any surprises?

The Cincinnati Bengals made it through training camp and the preseason, leaving their sights set squarely on Sunday’s season opener against the New England Patriots.

With battles at key positions in camp, we were all anxiously awaiting the first depth chart of the season, which is now here.

On the offensive side of the ball, there weren’t many surprises. The offensive line returns four starters from 2023, with veteran Trent Brown getting the nod over rookie right tackle Amarius Mims. Even before Mims’ pectoral injury, many planned for Brown to at least start the season anchoring the right side.

For the last several seasons, Tyler Boyd was always listed as the third wide receiver, but he has moved on to Tennessee, leading the way for second-year Princeton produce Andrei Iosivas to step into a larger role.

Indications from training camp say that Zack Moss and Chase Brown will come close to splitting carries at running back, but Moss is listed as the starter heading in to Week 1. Moss started for the Indianapolis Colts for four weeks last season, filling in for the injured Jonathan Taylor. In that span, Moss led the NFL in rushing.

At tight end, familiar face Drew Sample is listed as the first tight end over new signee Mike Gesicki. Gesicki has spent a lot of time in the slot or out wide in his career, so he will still see the field plenty, regardless of the depth chart position.

Defensively, the Bengals have seen a lot of turnover from the 2023 unit that struggled mightily.

A battle most of us watched closely in camp seems to have ended with converted safety Dax Hill winning the starting cornerback spot opposite Cam Taylor-Britt. Hill battled with his former University of Michigan teammate DJ Turner II for the second cornerback spot and has shown coaches enough to earn the start Sunday.

Hill’s vacant free safety spot will be filled by free agent signee Geno Stone, and the return of veteran Vonn Bell puts him back at starting strong safety despite Jordan Battle’s impressive rookie season. Lou Anarumo likes to get creative with defensive backs, so you can still expect to see plenty of Battle this season.

At defensive tackle, the newly signed Sheldon Rankins gets the start alongside BJ Hill. Hill has been with the Bengals in a rotational role since joining the team in 2021. Now in a contract year, he is in line to be the primary run-stopper in the middle of the Bengals’ defensive line. Rankins brings an interior pass rush that the Bengals have sorely missed.

Defensive ends stay the same with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard back to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Joseph Ossai will again be behind Hendrickson on the right side, with Cedric Johnson behind Hubbard on the left while Myles Murphy rehabs from injury.

Specialists Cal Adomitis and Evan McPherson return as the long snapper and kicker, respectively. Ryan Rehkow will be the team’s primary punter and holder for field goals. Rehkow battled with the incumbent Brad Robbins throughout the preseason until a hip flexor handed the job to Rehkow, at least until Robbins is back.

Charlie Jones is healthy and will return as the primary punt returner, with Chase Brown and Trayveon Williams both being the deep men for kickoff returns.

The roster is set, the depth chart is in place, and there is only one thing left to do: BEAT THE PATRIOTS!

Who Dey?!