The Cincinnati Bengals finished with a 10-7 record last season. Cincinnati was the fourth seed in the AFC and got all the way to the Super Bowl (LVI) at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California before losing to the Los Angeles Rams. Some people think that the Bengals are ahead of schedule, but the AFC is going to be a total gauntlet.
Cincinnati is going to be a betting favorite to win Super Bowl LVII this season, but the Bengals are going to have to deal with a tough AFC North Division first though. The Baltimore Ravens will be much better and healthier this season. The Pittsburgh Steelers will be around. They swept the both of them last season. However, the Cleveland Browns are a dumpster fire, but Cleveland swept Cincinnati last season.
What could the Cincinnati Bengals roster potentially look like this season?
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow will be the starting quarterback to no surprise. Burrow is becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He is a great leader and they don’t accept complacency under his watch. Joe Burrow, as long as he stays healthy, will be very good for a very long time in this league. He developed a great relationship with head coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. Brandon Allen will be the backup quarterback.
Running Backs
Joe Mixon will be the starting running back. He is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL and had a great year last season and rushed for over 1,000 yards. Samaje Perine will be the second running back and Chris Evans will be the third running back on this Cincinnati Bengals roster.
Wide ReceiversÂ
The Cincinnati Bengals might have the best wide receiver trio in the entire NFL. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd will be the starters. Chase is already a Top Five wide receiver in the NFL. The connection between him and Joe Burrow is on point. Ja’Marr Chase will only get better with time. Higgins is a great number two wide receiver and Boyd is a solid number three.
Trent Taylor will be the fourth wide receiver on this roster.
Tight Ends
Hayden Hurst will be the starting tight end. Drew Sample will be the second tight end on this roster and could be the weak link on offense.
Offensive Line
The offensive line was a disaster last season, but it was improved big time in free agency. It will give quarterback Joe Burrow more time to throw the football this season. Jonah Williams will be the starting left tackle, Jackson Carman will be the starting left guard, Ted Karras will be the starting center, Alex Cappa will be the starting right guard, and La’el Collins will be the starting right tackle.
Karras (New England Patriots), Cappa (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), and Collins (Dallas Cowboys) will be the upgrades on the offensive line. They have signed as free agents this past offseason. Trey Hill and rookie Cordell Volson will be potential backups in training camp.
Defensive Line
They played a 4-3 defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Sam Hubbard, D.J. Reader, B.J. Hill, and Trey Hendrickson will be the starting defensive line. Hendrickson gives this football team an edge in the pass rush. Keep an eye on Joseph Ossai and rookie Zach Carter.
Linebackers
Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, and Akeem Gaither-Davis will be the starting linebackers. Markus Bailey will be also in the rotation as well at the linebacker position.
Secondary
Eli Apple and Chidobe Awuzie will be the starting cornerbacks. Cornerbacks is the weak link of this defense. Mike Hilton will be the nickelback for the Bengals. Jessie Bates III and Von Bell will be the starting safeties. It is one of the best safety tandems in the league. Rookies Dax Hill (cornerback) and Tycen Anderson (safety) will be names to keep an eye on during training camp.
Special Teams
Evan McPherson will be the starting kicker and he is already one of the best kickers in the NFL and was as a rookie last season, Kevin Hueber will be the punter, and Clark Harris will be the long snapper.