It’s getting to be that time of year. The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 roster is just beginning to take shape. The first wave of free agency is pretty much over. There will be more signings, but most of the big names are off the board.
We’re still a little over a month away from the NFL Draft, where the Bengals will have the No. 10 overall selection. For this first 53-man roster prediction, we can only work with what we have on the roster.
Which isn’t much.
Quarterback (2)
- Joe Burrow
- Josh Johnson
Notes: The Bengals didn’t tender Jake Browning; they’re preparing for Joe Flacco signing elsewhere for his chance to start. They did sign journeyman Josh Johnson to hold the clipboard for Joe.
For now.
Running Back (3)
- Chase Brown
- Samaje Perine
- Tahj Brooks
Notes: No change here from last season. Brown is still going to be the top back in the room, and, for now, Perine will be the third-down back with Brooks peppered in here or there. This room could look different once the draft is over, but Brown will be the top dog this season.
Wide Receiver (6)
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Tee Higgins
- Andrei Iosivas
- Charlie Jones
- Mitchell Tinsley
- Kendrick Pryor
Notes: This is the most stacked wide receiver room in the league, but that’s mostly because of the top two names on the list. Chase is the best wide receiver in the NFL, and that’s the only reason Higgins is WR2. If he were on any other team (with the exception of a couple), he’d instantly be WR1. There’s room for improvement, though, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bengals add a wide receiver in the draft or free agency.
Tight End (4)
- Mike Gesicki
- Drew Sample
- Tanner Hudson
- Erick All Jr.
Notes: There’s a lot going on here. First, Gesicki is more of a slot receiver than a tight end. He’s TE1 because he’s listed as a TE on the roster. He’s not blocking anybody, though. Sample and Hudson are more traditional tight ends; the gulf between TE1 and TE2 is pretty large. The Bengals could definitely upgrade this position in the draft.
As far as All goes, there’s a ton of potential there, but who knows with his injury history. He could land on the roster. He could start the season on PUP. He could get released. Who knows?
Offensive Line (10)
- Orlando Brown Jr.
- Dylan Fairchild
- Ted Karras
- Dalton Risner
- Amarius Mims
- Cody Ford
- Jalen Rivers
- Matt Lee
- Andrew Coker
- Javon Foster
Notes: This list will change, but the top five are the starters now, and unless there are injuries, they’ll be the starters in Week 1. The starting five—if they build off of 2025—could potentially be the best line Burrow has had in his career. The backups need to be upgraded, but this is a good start.
Defensive Line (10)
- Boye Mafe
- BJ Hill
- Jonathan Allen
- Shemar Stewart
- Myles Murphy
- Kris Jenkins Jr.
- T.J. Slaton Jr.
- McKinnley Jackson
- Cedric Johnson
- Howard Cross III
Notes: This list will most definitely change. The Bengals will more than likely use their first-round pick—and possibly their second and third rounders too—on the defensive side of the ball. There are several defensive tackles and defensive ends that have first-round grades. If one of them falls to the Bengals, it shouldn’t be a surprise if they pounce.
This offseason, the Bengals lost Trey Hendrickson, and while they did add Mafe and Allen, they’re not as good up front now as they were last year, and last year, they weren’t great. Work needs to be done.
Linebackers (5)
- Demetrius Knight Jr.
- Barrett Carter
- Oren Burks
- Joe Giles-Harris
- Shaka Heyward
Notes: The Bengals really needed to address this position in free agency and chose not to. Now there’s slim pickins’ in free agency, and if they draft a guy, even at No. 10, they’re going to be relying on a rookie. The Bengals seem to believe they can land Superman in the first round, or Knight and Carter take big steps in Year 2
Cornerback (6)
- DJ Turner II
- Dax Hill
- Jalen Davis
- Josh Newton
- DJ Ivey
- Jalen Kimber
Notes: Here’s another position the Bengals ignored in free agency so far. This group needs help, and it needs help badly. The Bengals love themselves a first-round cornerback, and that’s certainly on the table this year. If not, I expect a corner to be selected on Day 2 at the latest.
Safety (4)
- Bryan Cook
- Jordan Battle
- Daijahn Anthony
- PJ Jules
Notes: The Bengals signed Cook, who was this year’s top free agent safety, to take over for Geno Stone. The position has been a mess since Jessie Bates left in free agency, but hopefully Cook, who is a former Bearcat, can right the ship. They could upgrade Battle, though. They need to upgrade the depth behind Cook and Battle as well. This is another position in the mix at No. 10.
Special Teams (3)
- K – Evan McPherson
- P – Ryan Rehkow
- LS – William Wagner
Notes: No changes here from last year, and I doubt changes will be made.
What are your thoughts? Who did I leave out? Who’s on the above list that won’t make the cut?
Sound off.
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