Bengals 53-man roster outlook: 2 major position battles on deck after NFL Draft

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The possibility for tweaks, cuts, extensions and contract disputes exists, but for the most part, the picture of the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals has been drawn.

After six draft picks, reports of 12 undrafted college free agents and one international pathway player entered the mix this weekend, we can take a clearer view of where the battles will be waged in August and how the 53-man roster shakes out.

Here’s a breakdown of every position. UDFA signees are not yet official, pending physicals and completed agreements. All rookies are in italics.

Quarterback (2)

• Starter: Joe Burrow
• Backup: Jake Browning
• Outside looking in: Logan Woodside, Payton Thorne (Auburn)

No surprises here. Teams were looking for bridge quarterbacks and the Bengals were looking for extra picks, but this never grew beyond a thought experiment. Woodside and Thorne will compete to be the practice squad quarterback.

Running back (4)

• Starter: Chase Brown
• Backups: Samaje Perine, Zack Moss, Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
• Outside looking in: Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton, Quali Conley (Arizona)

It’s hard not to like the makeup of this room. Brooks comes built in the Perine mold at a 5-9, 214-pound block of granite. He lived carrying out of shotgun. He’ll be fun to watch in preseason games and could gain trust in a hurry if injuries occur. The exact nature of the rotation will play out, but the staff would like to get away from the 100 percent of snaps Brown was taking down the stretch. Expect Perine to reprise a lesser version of the two-minute, passing-down role he thrived in during his last stint next to Burrow. Moss’ injury news was positive, so he’s back and gives the Bengals four reliable players, all with unique skill sets.

Wide receiver (5)

• Starters: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas
• Backups: Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones
• Outside looking in: Cole Burgess, Kendric Pryor, Mitchell Tinsley, Isaiah Williams, Jamoi Mayes (Cincinnati), Rashod Owens (Oklahoma State), Jordan Moore (Duke)

Realistically, Mike Gesicki should be included in this group since he’s used the vast majority of time as a receiver, so keep that in mind when considering keeping five. I wrote Monday about the path cleared for Burton. There’s also a path for one of the seven (!) receivers who entered the league as recent undrafted free agents to play their way into a sixth spot. This staff has enjoyed success developing undrafted receivers before and is trying it again.

Jermaine Burton remains in the mix for the Bengals after a tumultuous rookie year. (Jason Mowry / Getty Images)

Tight end (5)

• Starters: Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample
• Backups: Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy, Tanner McLachlan
• Outside looking in: Erick All Jr. (knee, out for the year), Kole Taylor (West Virginia)

Sample’s the critical piece. His ability to do it all gives the Bengals offensive versatility. He might not be asked to drop into the backfield as much with Perine back in the mix, but he’s proven capable at nearly every position a tight end could. The staff unlocked Gesicki in the passing game last year as the Higgins replacement, Chase-Higgins double-double coverage beater and third-down weapon. He’ll be counted on. The personnel department kept McLachlan on the 53 last year because they saw potential, but the 2024 sixth-rounder needs to start proving it or his spot will be in jeopardy.

Offensive line (9)

• Starters: LT Orlando Brown Jr., LG Dylan Fairchild (Georgia), C Ted Karras, RG Lucas Patrick, RT Amarius Mims
• Backups: G/T Cody Ford, C Matt Lee, T/G Jalen Rivers (Miami), G Cordell Volson
• Outside looking in: Jaxson Kirkland, Tashawn Manning, Devin Cochran, Andrew Coker, Andrew Stueber, Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State), Caleb Etienne (BYU)

Well, there are 16 offensive linemen on the roster, in case you haven’t figured out why we keep using the phrase “Royal Rumble.” The significant battles will be for the starting spots at left and right guard. Fairchild will be given every opportunity to secure it. If he falters, veterans Ford and Patrick are there to fill both spots. New OL coach Scott Peters is open to anybody, though. Whoever proves they deserve any spot will be given a chance. There are three secure starters (Mims, Brown, Karras) and 13 contestants for as many as seven other roster spots.

Defensive line (10)

• Starters: Edge Trey Hendrickson, DT TJ Slaton, DT B.J. Hill, Edge Myles Murphy
• Backups: Joseph Ossai, Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Cam Sample, McKinnley Jackson, Kris Jenkins, Cedric Johnson
• Outside looking in: Isaiah Thomas, Raymond Johnson III, Howard Cross III (Notre Dame), Eric Gregory (Arkansas), Dante Barnett (International Pathway)

We’ve got action, folks. Cross and Gregory will have a chance to make this team as undrafted free agents. The Bengals targeted those two after the draft and need depth behind the first four. How defensive coordinator Al Golden chooses to use the starting and backup roles, with more edges kicking inside on passing downs and rotational snaps for Jenkins and Stewart, will be fascinating to see play out in August, September and beyond. And, yeah, that whole Hendrickson thing still needs to work itself out.

Linebackers (5)

• Starters: Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina)
• Backups: Barrett Carter (Clemson), Oren Burks, Maema Njongmeta
• Outside looking in: Germaine Pratt, Joe Giles-Harris, Shaka Heyward, Craig Young

Welcome to the remade linebacker room. Two premium draft picks and a Super Bowl-winning free agent surround Wilson, who has been elevated as a leader of not only the linebackers but the entire defense with Vonn Bell and Sam Hubbard gone. Speaking of gone, it shouldn’t be long until the Bengals release 2024 captain Pratt and save the $5.6 million against the cap.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Starters: Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, Dax Hill
• Backups: Josh Newton, DJ Ivey, Marco Wilson
• Outside looking in: Micah Abraham, Nate Brooks, Jalen Davis, Lance Robinson, Bralyn Lux (Texas Tech)

The Bengals’ biggest bet is on the growth of the young corners. The top five corners are all 25 or younger and have yet to fully establish themselves despite flashes of quality. That description fits each one of them for different reasons. If Golden can pull consistency (and health) out of the majority of this group, the Bengals could be in great shape defensively. If it’s more of the same roller coaster experienced over the last two years, this will again be a glaring liability. They are looking to play more press-man coverage, highlighting their strengths, and it could go a long way to delivering that consistency.

Safety (4)

• Starters: Geno Stone, Jordan Battle
• Backups: Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony
• Outside looking in: Jaylen Key, PJ Jules

The room feels lacking. The offseason served as a stamp of approval for Stone. Not only was he not replaced, but there wasn’t even competition ushered into the mix. There’s curiosity about Anderson’s ascension on defense. A strong preseason there could create interesting conversations as the year unfolds. Keep an eye on the veteran free-agent market here. There are seven veteran safeties still unsigned who played at least 50 percent of the snaps last season.

Specialists (3)

• Starters: K Evan McPherson, P Ryan Rehkow, LS Cal Adomitis
• Outside looking in: LS William Wagner (Michigan)

The only thing new here revolves around the competition for Adomitis. Rehkow surprisingly dominated the punting competition last year and turned in one of the most pleasant surprises of 2024 for the Bengals. Could Wagner do the same? Adomitis wasn’t exactly perfect last year and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons needs to foster trust between McPherson and his operation. Perhaps the best thing to do is let them keep working together, but Wagner is among the top long-snapping rookies, so this will receive a critical look.

(Top photo of Dylan Fairchild: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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