Bengals roster projections

[magikod]

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/08/26/bengals-roster-projection-20/32435853/

Quote:Quarterbacks (2)

In: Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron

Practice Squad: None

Out: Keith Wenning

Decisions: Not much of one. Wenning will fight for a practice squad spot, but the Bengals have been known to grab PS quarterbacks from other teams this time of year. Wouldn't be shocking to see that again, unless Wenning shows particularly well in his remaining snaps.

Running back/Fullback (5)

In: Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman, Ryan Hewitt

Practice Squad: Terrell Watson

Out: James Wilder Jr., Mark Weisman

Decisions: Maybe the most interesting battle will be between Wilder and Watson for the practice squad. Watson can clearly run the football, but his shortcomings as a special teams player hurt him. The five to make the squad are set.

Wide receiver (5)

In: A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Brandon Tate, Mario Alford

Practice Squad: Jake Kumerow

Out: Greg Little, Denarius Moore, Onterio McCalebb, Tevin Reese, Michael Bennett, Desmond Lawrence

IR: James Wright

Decisions: Quite a mess at the back end of the receiver position. A veteran battle kicked up between Brandon Tate, Greg Little and Denarius Moore. Tate's reliability on special teams gives him an advantage. Little showed better than Moore during camp and the preseason thus far and earned himself another shot. The issue being if they opt for five official receivers since Burkhead also serves as a wideout. That would clear another spot elsewhere and Little would go. And don't forget about Kumerow: He could make one more play for a final spot as well.

Tight end (3)

In: Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah

Practice Squad: None

Out: John Peters, Matt Lengel

Decisions: Kroft and Uzomah earned their roster spots, as was expected with their draft position. Haven't seen enough from either of the other two to guarantee a practice squad spot, but one could sneak on.

Offensive line (9)

In: Russell Bodine, Kevin Zeitler, Clint Boling, Andrew Whitworth, Andre Smith, Eric Winston, Jake Fisher, T.J. Johnson, Trey Hopkins

PUP: Cedric Ogbuehi

Practice Squad: Dan France, Tanner Hawkinson

Out: Jake Smith, Matt O'Donnell, Chris Jasperse

Decisions: Battles for the final two spots continue to put this room in question. Beyond Winston and Fisher after the starters, those two spots continue to be up for grabs. Dan France enjoyed a nice camp and took a step forward, but will that be enough? Hopkins will need to get back on the field and show something to solidify a spot.

Defensive line (10)

In: Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Domata Peko, Michael Johnson, Brandon Thompson, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Will Clarke, Marcus Hardison, Pat Sims

Practice Squad: DeShawn Williams

Out: Kwame Geathers, Devon Still, Sam Montgomery

Decisions: For the first time under Marvin Lewis, I think the Bengals expand to 10 defensive linemen. I just don't see any of those 10 getting cut. Or maybe they pull a trade for a receiver. Depth and rotation have been preached all offseason and this will be a chance to prove it. They'd love to clear a spot for Williams, but he's a nice fit on the practice squad for now.

Linebackers (7)

In: A.J. Hawk, Emmanuel Lamur, Rey Maualuga, Vinny Rey, P.J. Dawson, Marquis Flowers, Chris Carter

PUP: Vontaze Burfict, Sean Porter

Practice Squad: Trevor Roach, Nico Johnson

Out: Jayson DiManche

Decisions: Nobody made a larger splash this preseason than Chris Carter. He's carved out a niche as a nickel rush end, he just needs to grow as a linebacker. I think the Bengals give him that chance and steal the extra linebacker spot at the expense of a 10th DB. This is an extremely tough call and one of the final spots to be determined. Flowers finds himself on the bubble as well.

Cornerbacks (5)

In: Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, Adam Jones, Leon Hall, Josh Shaw

Practice Squad: Troy Hill

Out: Chris Lewis-Harris, Brandon Ghee

Decisions: These have been the clear top five for a while now. Hall's versatility to help at safety allow the Bengals to sneak an extra spot for the linebacker position.


Safety (4)

In: George Iloka, Reggie Nelson, Shawn Williams, Derron Smith

Practice Squad: Floyd Raven Sr.

Out: Shiloh Keo

Decisions: Derron Smith showed all the playmaking ability in camp that he did in collecting 15 picks at Fresno State. Think he beats out the veteran Keo for the final safety spot and the Bengals only keep four.

Specialists (3)

In: K Mike Nugent, P Kevin Huber, LS Clark Harris

Practice Squad: None

Out: Tom Obarski

Decisions: None to be made. These three have been and will continue to man the specialists positions.