Here’s a look at where things stand, if there season were to start today.
The NFL Draft will begin Thursday night and extend through the majority of the weekend. Once the Arizona Cardinals announce their first-round pick, the Cincinnati Bengals will go on the clock with the No. 17 pick.
Before we get too excited, though, here’s a look at the roster and projected depth chart pre-draft. An asterisk denotes a starter (for now), and anyone under the — is on the bubble or at risk of being cut/added to the practice squad.
QB:
- Joe Burrow*
- Jake Browning
- ——
- Logan Woodside
Notes:
None
RB:
- Chase Brown*
- Zack Moss
- Samaje Perine
- ——
- Kendall Milton
- Gary Brightwell
Notes:
Brown is going to be the offense’s primary running back, and I expect Perine to return as a third-down/passing-down back while Moss will give breathers here and there. This is a deep running back class. I don’t think the Bengals will use their first-round pick on the position, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they grabbed someone to add to this mix on Day 2 or Day 3.
WR:
- Ja’Marr Chase*
- Tee Higgins*
- Andrei Iosivas*
- Charlie Jones
- Jermaine Burton
- Kendrick Pryor
- ——
- Cole Burgess
- Mitchell Tinsley
- Isaiah Williams
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Notes:
The Bengals have the best wide receiver duo, Chase and Higgins, in the NFL locked up for the foreseeable future. Behind them, though, it’s a little bit of a guessing game. Iosivas has a leg up on everyone as he’s had the most on-field success, but he hasn’t quite solidified himself as the team’s WR3. Jones has had injury issues, and Burton has had off-field issues. Don’t be surprised if the Bengals add a WR in Day 3.
TE:
- Mike Gesicki*
- Drew Sample*
- Tanner Hudson
- Tanner McLachlan
- ——
- Cam Grandy
- (INJURED) Erick All Jr.
Notes:
Gesicki is technically TE1, but he functions more like WR3. He’s not on the team because he can block. He’s on the team because he’s the best receiving tight end Burrow has worked with so far, and when Higgins or Chase is out, he’s the second most reliable receiver on the field. Sample is more of a blocker than a pass catcher (though a Sample TD is a sight to behold), and Hudson has had success as well.
McLachlan is an unknown, as is Grandy. All is, unfortunately, likely to miss the entire season due to complications from a knee injury that cost him most of the ‘24 season. The Bengals could add a tight end in the draft, if one they like falls to them, but don’t expect for them to reach for one if one doesn’t.
OL:
- Orlando Brown Jr.*
- Cordell Volson*
- Ted Karras*
- Cody Ford*
- Amarius Mims*
- Lucas Patrick
- Jaxson Kirkland
- Matt Lee
- Devin Cochran
- ——
- Andrew Coker
- Andrew Stueber
- Tashawn Manning
Notes:
The Bengals re-signed Ford and brought in Patrick this offseason, but they have hardly done “enough.” Joe Burrow, despite the MVP-caliber season in 2024, is constantly being harassed in the pocket and is often running for his life. Most of the trouble came from the guard position last year. As of now, the guard position would be some sort of combination of Volson, Ford, and Patrick.
I fully expect the Bengals to address the guard position during the draft, possibly tonight.
DL:
- Trey Hendrickson* (hopefully)
- BJ Hill*
- TJ Slaton*
- Joseph Ossai*
- Myles Murphy
- Kris Jenkins
- McKinnley Jackson
- Cedric Johnson
- Cam Sample
- ——
- Isaiah Thomas
- Raymond Johnson III
Notes:
The Bengals’ defense was a massive letdown in 2024 and resulted in a top-tier offense missing the playoffs, a 9-8 record, and Lou Anarumo’s firing. The Bengals signed NT Slaton, who excels as a run defender, as well as brought back Ossai, who finished the 2024 season with five sacks over the last seven games. Don’t forget about second-year tackles Jenkins and Jackson, who will hopefully take the next step, as well as former first-round pick Murphy, who needs to establish himself.
The Bengals could use an interior pass rusher, something they haven’t had consistently since Geno Atkins’ departure. They also need more help at edge, especially if the Bengals do trade Hendrickson or if he decides he doesn’t want to play under his current contract if the two sides can’t come to some sort of agreement.
The Bengals will address the defensive line in this year’s draft, possibly multiple times.
LB:
- Logan Wilson*
- Germaine Pratt* (requested trade)
- Oren Burks
- Maema Njongmeta
- Shaka Heyward
- ——
- Joe Giles-Harris
- Craig Young
Notes:
The only thing for certain at linebacker is Wilson will start. Pratt has requested a trade, and things don’t really seem like the two sides are going to be able to mend fences. They signed Burks, but Burks may be more of a replacement for ADG, who left in free agency, than Pratt. I fully expect the Bengals to address the linebacker position in the draft, possibly in the first round if Jihaad Campbell falls to them and his medicals check out.
CB:
- Cam Taylor-Britt*
- DJ Turner*
- Dax Hill*
- Jalen Davis
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
- Marco Wilson
- ——
- Micah Abraham
- Nate Brooks
- Lance Robinson
Notes:
The secondary struggled in 2024. CTB took a step back, and Turner and Hill both suffered season-ending injuries. The Bengals have officially lost Mike Hilton, but Hill could possibly step into that role, though the current plan is for the latter to stay on the boundary.
Davis has been Hilton’s long-time slot backup, and Newton, Ivey, and Wilson have shown promise. The plan is for Newton to move into the slot for next season.
The Bengals may not be looking to add a corner in the first round, but I could see them adding someone on Day 2 or 3.
S:
- Geno Stone*
- Jordan Battle*
- Tycen Anderson
- Daijahn Anthony
- ——
- Jaylen Key
- PJ Jules
Notes:
The safety position has been a mess since the team allowed Jessie Bates III to leave for Atlanta in free agency. They drafted Hill to be his heir before the 2021 season, but Hill’s move to cornerback gives you a pretty clear picture of how that has worked out. They went from Nick Scott to Geno Stone, but so far, they’ve gotten mixed results.
The Bengals will likely address the position on Day 2 or 3 to add depth or possibly grab a guy they think can take over the starting role and turn the position into one of strength again.
ST:
- P: Ryan Rehkow*
- K: Evan McPherson*
- LS: Cal Adomitis*
Notes:
None
——
That’s where things stand. How do you think it will look after this weekend?
And Who DEY!
