SPORTS

Bengals' final roster projection

Paul Dehner Jr.
pdehnerjr@enquirer.com
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis looks on in the second quarter during the preseason NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Bengals must cut down to the final 53 players by 4 p.m. Saturday. They currently sit at 75 following Thursday's preseason finale. After that, they begin the process of finding 10 players to place on the practice squad, two come from a bucket of those with no more than two years of NFL service.

Most of the roster looks set, but a few spots are up for final scrutiny. Here's the third and final projection of what the Bengals' roster will look like on opening day in Oakland.

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron

Practice Squad: None

Out: Keith Wenning

Decisions: Mainly wondering if Wenning should head to the practice squad or reach out for another quarterback. I think they take a stab at developing another QB.

Running back/Fullback (5)

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

Practice Squad: Terrell Watson

Out: James Wilder Jr.

Decisions: Wilder made a run at Cedric Peerman this preseason, but it would have taken a little more to unseat his veteran presence and special teams acumen. Peerman led the Bengals in special teams tackles last year. The question more revolves around the practice squad, and I think he came close to putting himself on with another quality night in Indy. Could go with Watson and Wilder on the PS.

Bengals on bubble now play waiting game

Wide receiver (5)

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

Practice Squad: Jake Kumerow

Out: Greg Little, Michael Bennett

IR: James Wright, Onterio McCalebb

Decisions: Little or no Little, that is the question. With the versatility of Rex Burkhead, the Bengals can afford one less receiver than a traditional six, but Little's strong preseason opened many eyes for those who previously wrote him off. He even came along on special teams. In the end, don't think he did enough to overcome talent in other areas of the roster.

Tight end (3)

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

Practice Squad: Matt Lengel

Out: N/A

Decisions: Kroft and Uzomah earned their roster spots, as was expected with their draft position. Lengel might warrant a practice squad spot due to the youth at the position, but the PS tight end could come from elsewhere once final cuts land.

Offensive line (9)

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

PUP: Cedric Ogbuehi

Practice Squad: Jake Smith, Trey Hopkins

Out: Matt O'Donnell, Tanner Hawkinson

Decisions: This comes down to one spot. Hard to predict who will grab it, but we know the team valued the development of France this preseason, and he's consistently played with the second team. Hopkins will be considered, but injuries have set him back enough that he might need a year on the practice squad.

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: Devon Still

Decisions: For the first time under Marvin Lewis, I think the Bengals expand to 10 defensive linemen. Can't see any of the current 10 getting cut. Barring a trade, it will be double digits likely until any injuries pile up in the regular season. Tough to let Still go, but he did enough this preseason to warrant a spot on somebody's 53. Just too deep to be here.

Bengals' defensive line proves its strength vs. Colts

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

Out: Jayson DiManche

Decisions: Did Carter do enough? Hard to imagine him doing more this preseason, but he still comes from off the radar and out of the Bengals' comfort zone. The spark he provided as a rush end didn't go unnoticed, but when already keeping an extra defensive lineman, do you keep a guy who would essentially play there? We've seen Dontay Moch, an undersized tweener linebacker, get to the quarterback every preseason as well and end up cut. For me, versatility at other areas of the roster allows the luxury of keeping Carter to get after the QB.

Bengals Beat Podcast: Predicting the 53

Cornerbacks (5)

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

Practice Squad: Troy Hill

Out: Chris Lewis-Harris, Brandon Ghee

Decisions: Must credit Lewis-Harris. He's hung around this roster for three years with grit and perseverance - even playing in 12 games. He made one noticeable final push Thursday to force the Bengals to keep him over an extra linebacker. Wouldn't be shocked to see him sneak in, but for me, he falls just short. As for Ghee, the old adage applies, can't make the club in the tub.

Safety (4)

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

Practice Squad: N/A

Out: Shiloh Keo

Decisions: Derron Smith didn't play as well in games as practice, but his playmaking skills were still evident enough to keep the veteran Keo from hanging on to the final roster spot.

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 specialist positions.