Bengals' final roster projection
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.