2021 Bengals Roster (Pre-season version)

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

At the moment, Spotrac has 61 guys listed as signed with us. Well short of the 65 we will carry during the season (53 man + 12 man practice squad). Obviously, some will get get, be displaced by a draft pick or FA signing, or in the case of the PS guys, get a better offer elsewhere.

I decided to try my hand at projecting our roster. I break the roster down into 5 tiers. 1) Starters; 2) Primary Reserves; 3) Inner Fringe; 4) Outer Fringe; and 5) Practice Squad.

I acknowledge my calls are subjective and lines between the tiers can obviously blur. I mean, depending on how FA & the draft & camp play out, guys who I think are fringe 53 guys could become prinary backups, or be cut altogether. Heck, so could guys I have on the 2 deep (Price).

Further, I won't bump a guy up a tier just because we have not filled a slot above him (I do not see Tate as a starting WR, even though he'd be WR3 if we had to play a game tomorrow).

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; Allen
RB: Mixon; Bernard
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Perine (RB), F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; ???
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Kareem (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Praxtice Squad: Godsil (LS)

[*ochocincos*]

(03-30-2021, 04:33 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: At the moment, Spotrac has 61 guys listed as signed with us. Well short of the 65 we will carry during the season (53 man + 12 man practice squad). Obviously, some will get get, be displaced by a draft pick or FA signing, or in the case of the PS guys, get a better offer elsewhere.

I decided to try my hand at projecting our roster. I break the roster down into 5 tiers. 1) Starters; 2) Primary Reserves; 3) Inner Fringe; 4) Outer Fringe; and 5) Practice Squad.

I acknowledge my calls are subjective and lines between the tiers can obviously blur. I mean, depending on how FA & the draft & camp play out, guys who I think are fringe 53 guys could become prinary backups, or be cut altogether. Heck, so could guys I have on the 2 deep (Price).

Further, I won't bump a guy up a tier just because we have not filled a slot above him (I do not see Tate as a starting WR, even though he'd be WR3 if we had to play a game tomorrow).

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; Allen
RB: Mixon; Bernard
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Perine (RB),  F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; ???
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Kareem (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), Jones (LB),  Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Praxtice Squad: Godsil (LS)

There are 8 draft picks right now too.
It's safe to estimate 5 draft picks minimum will make the roster.

Given the number of ???s you have there, some of those inner (and even possibly outer) fringe guys are going to occupy depth positions still.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-30-2021, 05:06 PM)ochocincos Wrote: There are 8 draft picks right now too.
It's safe to estimate 5 draft picks minimum will make the roster.

Given the number of ???s you have there, some of those inner (and even possibly outer) fringe guys are going to occupy depth positions still.

Oh, for sure. I just do not know who. Some of the fringe guys are locks to make the team but just are not the primary backup. Like Perine. Other guys could end up as a prinary backup or be off the team entirely (Bailey, Evans, Jordan).

Particularly our OL backups. Those are all Turner's guys. Maybe Pollack tries to fix them, or maybe he decides to get his type of guys. Except for Price, they don't cost much to cut.

I think after the draft, we'll have a better idea on the pecking order. But I left holes on that 2 deep. Especially at OL & WR. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Daniels re-signed.

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; Allen
RB: Mixon; Bernard
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Perine (RB),  F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Kareem (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), Jones (LB),  Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)

[*pally*]

At least one of those PS WRs are going to be on the active squad. Most likely Stanley Morgan who has been neck and neck with Erickson the last 2 years. Erickson got the nod because of his return capabilities

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(03-31-2021, 04:06 AM)pally Wrote: At least one of those PS WRs are going to be on the active squad.  Most likely Stanley Morgan who has been neck and neck with Erickson the last 2 years.  Erickson got the nod because of his return capabilities

Yeah, I think so. It will depend on the draft. And how many we keep. We kept 7 WRs last year + 3 on the PS. We knew Ross & AJ were likely gone and Erickson was in his last year. I think we wanted a nice long look at Morgan, Irwin, and Washington.

Even if we add some deep speed + a PR/shifty slot guy to replace Erickson, there is still room for another WR if we keep 7 again. And Thomas is not a roster lock.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Amani Bledsoe re-signed. Well, at least we have 9 DL on the roster now. But Kareem + Bledsoe as our backup DEs needs upgraded. 




https://www.cincyjungle.com/2021/3/31/22360176/nfl-free-agency-news-bengals-re-sign-defensive-end-amani-bledsoe-oklahoma-sooners-football-news

Gonna put Amani on the outer fringe. Moving Kareem to Inner.

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; Allen
RB: Mixon; Bernard
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Perine (RB),  F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Kareem (DE), Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Bledsoe (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)
----------------

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

So, Bernard waived, Moss signed edition.

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; B. Allen
RB: Mixon; Perine
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE), Moss (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; R. Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Kareem (DE), Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Bledsoe (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), McKenzie (DT), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)
----------------

[PDub80]

(04-16-2021, 08:19 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: So, Bernard waived, Moss signed edition.

So, Starters + Primary Reserves: by position:

Offense:
QB: Burrow; B. Allen
RB: Mixon; Perine
WR1: ????; Tate
WR2: Higgins; ???
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; ???
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Spain; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: F. Johnson (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG).

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB); Thomas (WR), Schreck (TE), Moss (TE).

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; ???
DT: Reader; Tupou
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; ???
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; R. Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Kareem (DE), Evans (LB)

Defensive Outer Fringe: Bledsoe (DE), Wren (DT), Bailey (LB), T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), McKenzie (DT), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: ????
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ????

Special Fringe: Seibert (PK); Phillips (PR)

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)
----------------

This is why I think they draft 2 WR, 2 OL (1 T/1 G or C. If a C, Hopkins kicks back to his natural RG), & 1 RB.

Also, they LOVE Baily at LB. Was a projected 2nd rounder before he was injured. Last year he came back and played ok. This year he will be 100%.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Post NFL draft edition.

So, to review. Starters + Primary reserves are guys I feel are near locks to make the 53 man roster. If all those spots are filled (44), we'd have room for 6 non-specialists (PK, P, LS) to make the 53. I am sure I will be wrong on a couple.

Inner fringe guys are players I think are likely to make the 53 and possibly could be a primary backup.

Outer fringe guys are players I think are not likely to see a lot PT if they make the roster, and usually not a primary backup (3rd-4th TE, 3rd NT, etc).

Offense:
QB: Burrow; B. Allen
RB: Mixon; Perine
WR1: Chase; ???
WR2: Higgins; Tate
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; Spain (or the other way around)
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Carman; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Thomas (WR), F. Johnson (OT). 

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB), Evans (RB), Schreck (TE), Moss (TE); Smith (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG), Hill ©.

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; Ossai
DT: Reader; Shelvin
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; Sample
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; R. Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Kareem (DE), Tupou (NT); Evans (LB), Bailey (LB), 

Defensive Outer Fringe: Bledsoe (DE), Hubert (DE), Wren (DT); T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), McKenzie (DT), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: McPherson
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ???

Special Outer Fringe: Seibert (PK); 

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)
----------------

Will add UFAs in a couple days.

[Murdock2420]

(05-02-2021, 02:47 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Post NFL draft edition.

So, to review. Starters + Primary reserves are guys I feel are near locks to make the 53 man roster. If all those spots are filled (44), we'd have room for 6 non-specialists (PK, P, LS) to make the 53. I am sure I will be wrong on a couple.

Inner fringe guys are players I think are likely to make the 53 and possibly could be a primary backup.

Outer fringe guys are players I think are not likely to see a lot PT if they make the roster, and usually not a primary backup (3rd-4th TE, 3rd NT, etc).

Offense:
QB: Burrow; B. Allen
RB: Mixon; Perine
WR1: Chase; ???
WR2: Higgins; Tate
WR3 (slot): Boyd; ???
TE: Uzomah; Sample
LT: J. Williams; ???
LG: XSF; Spain (or the other way around)
C: Hopkins; Price
RG: Carman; ???
RT: Reiff; ???

Offensive Inner Fringe: Thomas (WR), F. Johnson (OT). 

Offensive Outer Fringe: T. Williams (RB), Evans (RB), Schreck (TE), Moss (TE); Smith (OT), Adeniji (OT), Jordan (OG), Hill ©.

Offensive Pracice Squad: Shurmur (QB), Patrick (RB), Morgan (WR), Irwin (WR), Washington (WR), Wilcox (TE), Prince (OT), Sutherland (G/C)
--------------------

Defense
DE: Hendrickson; Ossai
DT: Reader; Shelvin
DT: Ogunjobi; Daniels
DE: Hubbard; Sample
LB: Wilson; ADJ
LB: Pratt; ???
CB1: Waynes; Apple
CB2: Awuzie; ???
CB3 (slot): Hilton; Phillips
S: Bell; R. Allen
S: Bates; B. Wilson

Defensive Inner Finge: Kareem (DE), Tupou (NT); Evans (LB), Bailey (LB), 

Defensive Outer Fringe: Bledsoe (DE), Hubert (DE), Wren (DT); T. Brown (CB).

Defensive Practice Squad: Akinmoladun (DE), McKenzie (DT), Jones (LB), Davis (CB), Rose (CB), Lewis (CB), Henderson (S).
--------------

Special Teams
P: Huber
PK: McPherson
LS: Harris
KR: B. Wilson;
PR: ???

Special Outer Fringe: Seibert (PK); 

Special Practice Squad: Godsil (LS)
----------------

Will add UFAs in a couple days.

I would think that Thomas is almost a lock as the 5th WR for the Bengals since he is also one of their top gunners on special teams. That certainly gives him an edge over the UDFA guys and last season's practice squad guys.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(05-02-2021, 09:48 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: I would think that Thomas is almost a lock as the 5th WR for the Bengals since he is also one of their top gunners on special teams. That certainly gives him an edge over the UDFA guys and last season's practice squad guys.

True. But we still have some cap room. There will be cuts made. We still need a PR guy to replace Erickson. That guy (kid from NW) plus a FA could bump Thomas or even Tate off the roster. 

I'd put Thomas' name in pencil but not in pen. The first list is for the guys in pen.

Yes, he and Tate are WR4 & WR5 at the moment. Still got a ways to go.

[Murdock2420]

(05-02-2021, 10:05 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: True. But we still have some cap room. There will be cuts made. We still need a PR guy to replace Erickson. That guy (kid from NW) plus a FA could bump Thomas or even Tate off the roster. 

I'd put Thomas' name in pencil but not in pen. The first list is for the guys in pen.

Yes, he and Tate are WR4 & WR5 at the moment. Still got a ways to go.

Pencil is a good call and there is plenty of time to see what shakes out, not too mention the inevitable camp injuries that will alter the depth at position groups.

I look at Thomas as one of those guys that Taylor likes and is comfortable with and he does just enough to have a spot unless someone comes in and really forces the issue.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

So, at this point, save for the XSF/Spain competition at LG, I do not think there is much doubt about our 25 starters.

Offense:
QB: Burrow
RB: Mixon
WR1: Chase
WR2: Higgins
WR3: (slot): Boyd
TE: Uzomah
LT: J. Williams
LG: XSF/Spain
C: Hopkins
RG: Carman
RT: Reiff

As a team Sewell guy, I have to admit, Burrow, Mixon, Chase, Higgins, & Boyd look pretty sweet. OL have a lot of questions: health for Hopkins & Williams (& CJ), transitioning sides/spots for Reiff & Carman. But the top 6 guys are all at least adequate, which is an upgrade from last year.

Defense:
DE: Hendrickson
NT: Reader
DT: Ogunjobi
DE: Hubbard
LB: L. Wilson
LB: Pratt
CB1: Waynes
CB2: Awuzie
CB3 (slot): Hilton
SS: Bell
FS: Bates

I have doubts about Hendrickson as the featured guy rather than the clean up guy. Haven't seen Waynes in stripes yet, and the LBs both need to take leaps. I think Wilson likely will. Iffy on Pratt.

Specialists:
PK: McPherson
P: Huber
LS: Harris

I was going to say a team does not draft a PK and then cut him, but WE did that very thing a couple years back. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Backups get a lot dicier.

Offense:
QB2: B. Allen
RB2: Perine
WR4: Thomas
WR5: Tate
WR6 (slot #2): ???
TE2: Sample
OT3: ???
OG3: Spain/XSF
C2: Price


The depth at WR is pretty thin. No reserve slot guy on roater until we get to UDFAs. Thonas is a good ST player. Tate overrated by Bengaldom. At the moment, we have a UDFA or PS guy as WR6. Do Alshon Jeffery or Amendola have anything left?

Offensive line reserves are a mess as well. But at least we have bodies. Spain/XSF loser is OG3. And Jordan is still on the roster. Hill van reportedly play G & C. Price seems set at C2. Hill could give him a run, but Price played OK under Pollack before. Gotta think we try to salvage him. Johnson would seem to be OT3 at this point (yikes). Adeniji & Smith there as well.

For those counting at home, that is 12. No way we keep 12 OL. I'd like to bring in another proven OT. Let the picks/young guys battle for the last two OL spots (assuming we keep 10. Losers cut or to the PS to see if Pollack can salvage them. Right now, 3 spots amongst Johnson, Smith, Hill, Jordan, and Adeniji.

[*pally*]

I would look for one of last year's PS receivers to make the team as the last WR. My money is on Stanley Morgan who can play special teams and was protected every week last season.

I also think we are looking at TE1-Sample TE2- Uzomah.

Of course, if last year's PS and game day roster rules are in place this year, we could be looking at a different WR6 each week depending on the situation

[Hammerstripes]

Are we really concerned about WR 4,5,6? I'm not.

I think Tate has shown he can play. I'm still bewildered as to why he wasn't playing much last year. I thought he would thrive with Burrow. Say what you want about Thomas, but he knows the system and played fairly well last year.

I was actually shocked they didn't take a WR in the draft. I'm guessing one of the special teams type guys will step up and take the 6th spot - or if Evans is as good at catching the ball as advertised, you could see him in the slot every now and then in 4-5 WR sets.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(05-05-2021, 12:38 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: Are we really concerned about WR 4,5,6?  I'm not.

I think Tate has shown he can play.  I'm still bewildered as to why he wasn't playing much last year.  I thought he would thrive with Burrow.  Say what you want about Thomas, but he knows the system and played fairly well last year.

I was actually shocked they didn't take a WR in the draft.  I'm guessing one of the special teams type guys will step up and take the 6th spot - or if Evans is as good at catching the ball as advertised, you could see him in the slot every now and then in 4-5 WR sets.

Well, we took Chase. 

Depth is important. We certainly lack it at WR. Tate is slow and gets no separation. Way overrated. Erickson is a better receiver. Thomas' best attribute is ST play.

Plus, we play a lot of 4 or 5 WR sets. Those guys are gonna play some and are substandard. Heck, even if we play 3 WR sets only, guys get rotated after long routes. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

OK, let's try a new format, and include the UDFA guys. Again, this is based off the guys we have now. If we sign a legit FA (Leno, Geno, Houston, etc) then I will re-work.

I. Projected Starters = 25

A. Offense = 11

Burrow; Mixon; Chase, Higgins, Boyd; Uzomah; J. Williams, Su'a-Filo, Hopkins, Carman, Reiff.

Tossup between XSF & Spain for LG. They say Hopkins & Uzomah are on schedule to be ready, so I penciled them in.

B. Defense = 11

Hendrickson, Reader, Ogunjobi, Hubbard; L. Wilson, Pratt; Waynes, Awuzie, Hilton; Bell, Bates.

Not much controversey here. Unless Ossai/ Sample wows in camp, which is possible.

C. Specialists = 3.

PK: McPherson
P: Huber
LS: Harris

Drafting a PK is not a guarantee he makes the team (Jake Elliot). But no way we do that twice, right? Heirs to Harris (Godsil) and Huber (Chrisman) in camp, but probably to PS.
------------------

II. Backups who are Roster Locks

A. Offensive Reserve Locks = 4

B. Allen (QB#2); Perine (RB#2); D. Sample (TE#2); Spain (OG#3).

B. Defensive Reserve Locks = 4

Ossai (Edge#3), Davis-Gaither (LB#3), R. Allen (S#3), B. Wilson (S#4/KR).

I was pretty conservative on who I call locks. Still, that is 15 on each side of the ball. 10 spots open on each side.
---------------

III. Probable for 53 man Roster

A. Offensive Probables = 4

Price (C#2), Thomas (WR#4), Tate (WR#5), Smith (OT#4).

I guess it is conceivable Hill wows in camp & we decide to cut Price to save $$, I think we try to see if Pollack can rehab him, despite declining the 5th year option already. It would take two WRs stepping up to bump Thomas (good on ST) or Tate (size in red zone). Could see either getting bumped (Morgan + Lees/Robinson as slot #2), but it is unlikely at this point.

I have Smith in as OT#4. I don't think he is ready to play yet (could be wrong there), so not OT#3. But I also don't think we want to risk another team snapping him up through waivers (which I believe has to happen at least once, even for protected PS guys, right?).

B. Defensive Probables = 6

C. Sample (Edge#4/DL), Shelvin (DT#2), J. Evans (LB#4), Bailey (LB#5), Apple (CB#4), D. Phillips (CB#5/Slot#2).

Pretty straightforward here. No LBs brought in (unless you count Ossai). Evans re-signed. Apple & Phillips seem to have the ibside track amongst a slew of CBs. No way we risk losing C. Sample or Shelvin, although there is some nice DT depth.
------------------------------

IV. Make or break Roster Battles

A. Offense = 5/6 spots open

OT = 1. Johnson; Adeniji, Prince.
IOL = 1. Hill (C/G), Jordan (G), Sutherland (G/C).
WR = 1. Morgan, Irwin, Washington, Lees, Robinson.
RB = 1. C. Evans, T. Williams, Patrick, P. Williams.
TE = 1. Schreck, Moss, Wilcox, Wells.
WC = 1. Most likely TE#4 or RB#4. Or OL#11 or D #26.
-------------------
QB = 0. Most likey only 2 on 53: Shurmur, Hill, Dungey

OT3 is the highest spot on the depth chart open. Both Johnson & Adeniji are Turner's guys. Pollack picked Smith in Rd 4. I'm assuming he makes the 53. Assuming Pollack wants to avoid losing his guys and would be more willing to risk a Turner guy. Which bodes well for Hill over Jordan.
Depends on how ready Hill is contribute right away & if Pollack thinks Jordan/Price can be rehabbed. Hope we bring in a vet OT, but I'd give the edge to Fred & Hill at the moment. Jordan & Adeniji to PS or out. Could keep 11.

WR6 is also interesting. If one assumes Thomas & Tate are safe, then there is one spot left. Morgan would seem to have the lead. But is not a natural replacement for Erickson (slot/PR guy). That would be Lees or Robinson. Could see Morgan + Lees/Robinson make it & one of Tate/Thomas not. We kept 7 last year. I doubt that happens again.

RB3. I think Evans makes it over T. Williams. Patrick is a big back/Perine insurance. P. Williams a PS guy. Could keep 4. Think we kept 4 last year.

TE3. I give Moss the edge. Schreck on PS. Could keep 4.

Don't think there is room for 3 QBs on the 53. Not for these guys, anyway. 1 to PS.

B. Defense: 4/5 spots open

DT = 1/2. Tupou, Daniels, Wren, McKenzie, A. Williams
DE = 1/0. Kareem, Hubert, Bledsoe, Akimoladun, Hodge
CB = 1. Brown, Davis, Rose, A. Phillips, Lewis
LB = 0/1. Jones.
S = 0/1. Henderson.

DL is the most interesting here. I only have 7 of 10 likely spots claimed (4 DEs, 3 DTs). But 2 of my DEs (Hubbard, Sample) can likely cone inside on 3rd down. As can Kareem. So maybe we keep fewer DTs. However, none of the DEs listed here who played last year distinguished themselves rushing the passer (Kareem, Bledsoe, Akinmoladun). Tupou is the best player, but he sat out last year and is more of a NT. Daniels is likely the #2 3T, but he was not gangbusters either. Wren has been hurt for 2 years. Could see us keeping 10 or 9 or even 11.

At 10. I like Daniels for the #2 3T. That's 8. Last 2 spots = #3 NT (Tupou), #3 3T (Wren), or #5 DE (Kareem/Hubert). Pick 2.

I think we carry 6 CBs. Brown has inside track, but we brought in a bunch of guys. Not sure D. Phillips (he yaps about PT a lot) or Apple are completely safe if someone wows in camp.

I think 5 LBs and 4 Ss are the limit.

VI. Backup Specialists = PS Candidates = 3

I think Huber, Harris and McPherson are safe, but insurance and competition are good. I'd bet on Godsil (LS) and Chrisman (P) to make the PS. with an eye to replacing Harris/Huber in the near future. Last year proved a PK on the PS ain't a bad idea either. Seibert.
-------

Whew.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

That is 92 guys, by my count.

I think there is a 90 man limit for camp, so we probably shed a guy or two after rookie camp.

53 + 16 man PS = 69.
23 of those listed above will be out.