The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Draft class is set, and reports of up to 14 undrafted free agents have agreed to terms to join them. The 90-man roster limit has not been reached, but the team is likely to see if others can make the team via tryouts during rookie minicamp.
For the first time this offseason, it's time to project who will be left on the team when Week 1 arrives.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2024 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2024 undrafted free agents.
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Quarterback (2)
IN : Joe Burrow, Jake Browning
OUT: Logan Woodside, Rocky Lombardi**
How we got here: Woodside and Lombardi join the room for the Summer. We all know how important quarterback depth is this time of year in Cincinnati. "Rocky Lombardi" might be the best name to ever play the position.
Running back (4)
IN: Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Drew Sample (H-back)
OUT: Chris Evans, Noah Cain**, Elijah Collins**
The skinny: The first eyebrow-raiser is Sample, who was a frequent member of the backfield last year in pass protection and as an outlet receiver. I think the addition of two high-upside tight ends from the draft gives the Bengals even more freedom to be flexible with Sample. He'll still be an inline blocker a fair amount of time, but it's simpler to list him as an H-back until further notice. No drafted running backs make the top three easy to pick.
Wide receiver (6)
IN: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton*, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Trenton Irwin
OUT: Kwamie Lassiter II, Shedrick Jackson, Kendric Pryor, Cole Burgess**, Tre Mosley**
The skinny: Burton opens up so many things for the receiving corps. He's a true vertical threat who's also a better route runner than he gets credit for. Labeling him as the new "slot" doesn't do him justice. He'll line up off the ball, but his presence alone will force defenses to be even more conservative against this offense. His alignment versatility opens up more chances for Chase to be in the slot as well. Iosivas and Jones will continue to develop as role players with Irwin filling out the room per usual.
Tight end (4)
IN: Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, Erick All*, Tanner McLachlan*
OUT: Cam Grandy**
The skinny: Again, Sample may not be listed here, but you'll still see him line up on the ball. Gesicki and Hudson are the move guys who are detached from the line. McLachlan is the ideal rookie to develop behind both of them. All hasn't even played a snap and is already the most well-rounded player in this entire group. If he'll be ready for camp like he says he will be, this position can now be looked at as a strength.
Offensive line (9)
IN: Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown, Amarius Mims*, Cody Ford, Matt Lee*, Jackson Carman
OUT: D'Ante Smith, Trey Hill, Devin Cochran, Jaxson Kirkland, Nate Gilliam, Eric Miller**
The skinny: The active eight should be settled as Mims and Lee are ideal athletic reserves for now with clear paths to start later. Ford provides guard/tackle flex with trust from the staff. Carman might have the best chance to make it over fellow 2021 draftees Smith and Hill due to draft status and prior experience at multiple positions. I think 10 is too many here, but perhaps Miller can show out in camp and preseason action. Kirkland was also making noise in camp last year as well.
Defensive line (10)
IN: Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins, B.J. Hill, Sam Hubbard, Myles Murphy, Kris Jenkins*, McKinnley Jackson*, Cam Sample, Joseph Ossai, Zach Carter
OUT: Jeff Gunter, Jay Tufele, Domenique Davis, Cedric Johnson*, Devonnsha Maxwell, Travis Bell, Justin Blazek**
The skinny: Five on the edge and five inside is the safe bet to make. Jenkins and Jackson should push Carter down to being inactive on game days. Sample and Ossai will be fighting for their jobs as Johnson brings in plenty of burst and youth off the edge. Is this the year it all clicks for Ossai? It could be the difference in the long run.
Linebacker (5)
IN: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Aaron Casey**
OUT: Devin Harper, Shaka Heyward, Maema Njongmeta**
The skinny: We have our first undrafted free agent projected to make the team in Casey, who barely snuck in on the Consensus Big Board at 298th overall. The ultra-productive 23-year old will have a good chance to beat out the likes of Harper and Heyward. Njongmeta also has a chance as well.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner II, Mike Hilton, Dax Hill, Josh Newton*, Jalen Davis
OUT: Allan George, Lance Robinson**
PUP/IR: DJ Ivey
The skinny: Suspicions of Hill moving to cornerback were confirmed and that likely impacted the plan of attack at the position. Newton is the only new addition from free agency or the draft. He's a roster lock because of scarcity alone. Hopefully Ivey will be ready for the season, but a torn ACL in December makes that unlikely. This position stands to be stronger.
Safety (4)
IN: Geno Stone, Vonn Bell, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson
OUT: Daijahn Anthony*, P.J. Jules**, Michael Dowell**
The skinny: Unlike Ivey, Anderson has a good chance of being healthy for Week 1 as his ACL injury happened two months earlier in comparison. He's not going to break through the top three, which was set after Stone and Bell signed in free agency.
Specialists (3)
IN: Evan McPherson, Austin McNamara**, Cal Adomitis
OUT: Brad Robbins
The skinny: McNamara was one of the draft's best punters and the Bengals didn't even have to spend a pick on him. He'll get a fair competition with Robbins, and based on the incumbent's struggles from 2023, I'll give the newbie the edge for now.
Final word
It's too early in the offseason to make any bold predictions, but eight drafted rookies and two UDFAs making the Week 1 roster is definitely plausible. OTAs and minicamp are where these guys establish their standing, and training camp is when the separation begins.
Altogether, they fill out a very solid roster for Cincinnati.
Related: 5 winners and 5 losers from the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 NFL Draft class
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