The Cincinnati Bengals’ first preseason game is in the books. They defeated the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium by a score of 16-14. Evan McPherson was money, and we got a good look at the starters.
I’m not going to share my takes—they played on Thursday night, and anything I’m going to say has already been said by better minds than mine.
Instead, let’s take a look at who I think is definitely safe on the 53-man roster, and who still needs to fight for their right to wear stripes during the regular season.
Offense
Locks:
- 1 – WR Ja’Marr Chase
- 5 – WR Tee Higgins
- 9 – QB Joe Burrow
- 15 – WR Charlie Jones
- 16 – QB Joe Flacco
- 25 – HB Tahj Brooks
- 30 – HB Chase Brown
- 34 – HB Samaje Perine
- 60 – OT Cody Ford
- 63 – G Dylan Fairchild
- 64 – C Ted Karras
- 65 – C Connor Lew
- 66 – G Dalton Risner
- 71 – OT Amarius Mims
- 75 – OT Orlando Brown Jr.
- 80 – WR Andrei Iosivas
- 83 – TE Erick All Jr.
- 84 – TE Jack Endries
- 88 – TE Mike Gesicki
- 89 – TE Drew Sample
Notes: This is pretty cut and dry, in my opinion. The Joe’s will be the quarterbacks. Chase, Higgins and Iosivas are locks, and I think Jones’ abilities as a return specialist add him to that list. Then we have the entire starting offensive line, but the only backups I’m willing to say are locks right now are Ford and Lew.
Then at tight end, we have Gesicki and Sample, who are unique to their roster (the first as a pass catcher, and the latter as a blocker). All and Endries, I think, are the only other two locks at the position.
Bubble Players:
- 4 – QB Sean Clifford
- 11 – QB Josh Johnson
- 12 – WR Ke’Shawn Williams
- 14 – WR Jordan Moore
- 17 – WR Noah Thomas
- 18 – WR Xavier Johnson
- 19 – WR Kendric Pryor
- 24 – HB Jamal Haynes
- 31 – HB Kentrel Bullock
- 32 – HB Gary Brightwell
- 36 – HB Kendall Milton
- 48 – TE Josh Kattus
- 59 – G Liam Brown
- 61 – G Brian Parker II
- 69 – C Jacob Bayer
- 73 – OT Javon Foster
- 74 – G Jalen Rivers
- 76 – OT Christian Jones
- 77 – G Corey Robinson II
- 79 – OT Andrew Coker
- 81 – WR Dohnte Meyers
- 82 – WR Mitch Tinsley
- 85 – TE Cam Grandy
- 86 – WR Colbie Young
- 87 – TE Tanner Hudson
Notes: Some of these guys will definitely make the team, but I can’t confidently say any of them are 100% certain locks right now. At wide receiver, there are three guys, Meyers, Tinsley, and Young, fighting for the last two roster spots at that position.
Along the offensive line, it’s hard to say how the backup line could take shape. Remember, they signed Risner really late in August. Who knows what players could be cut from other teams that the front office could see as a better fit than anyone on this list.
Then at tight end, the big surprising name possibly here is Hudson because he’s been on the roster and has contributed pretty regularly over the last few seasons. The thing that’s different this season is All’s health. I’m not sure there’s room enough for five tight ends on this roster.
Defense
Locks:
- 0 – CB DJ Turner
- 6 – S Bryan Cook
- 20 – CB Tacario Davis
- 23 – CB Dax Hill
- 26 – CB Ja’Sir Taylor
- 27 – S Jordan Battle
- 29 – S Kyle Dugger
- 35 – CB Jalen Davis
- 38 – CB DJ Ivey
- 42 – LB Oren Burks
- 43 – LB Joe Giles-Harris
- 44 – LB Demetrius Knight Jr
- 49 – LB Barrett Carter52 – DE Cedric Johnson
- 53 – DE Boye Mafe
- 55 – DE Cashius Howell
- 90 – DT Kris Jenkins Jr.
- 92 – DT BJ Hill
- 93 – DT Jonathan Allen
- 94 – DE Shemar Stewart
- 96 – DT Landon Robinson
- 97 – DT Dexter Lawrence II
- 98 – DT T.J. Slaton Jr.
- 99 – DE Myles Murphy
Notes: The defensive line depth in 2026 is incredible compared to what it was in 2025. Lawrence and Allen are starting this year, and last year’s starters are this year’s backups. Having said all that, I think the defensive line has a lot of locks. Jenkins has flashed, and I really like what we’ve been able to see from rookie Landon Robinson.
At linebacker, I think the foursome of Carter, Knight, Giles-Harris, and Burks are locks. I’m not sure if they’ll keep a fifth linebacker, but these four are in.
Then in the secondary, the safety position has locks with Cook, Battle, and Dugger, but that fourth (and fifth?) spot is still up for grabs. The same goes for a couple of the backup cornerback positions. I think Ivey is a lock, as is Taylor, but beyond that, there are some openings.
Bubble Players:
- 21 – CB Bralyn Lux
- 22 – CB Ceyair Wright
- 28 – CB Josh Newton
- 33 – S Daijahn Anthony
- 37 – S PJ Jules
- 39 – S Russ Yeast
- 40 – CB Jalen Kimber
- 45 – LB Liam Anderson
- 47 – LB Swayze Bozeman
- 50 – LB Shaka Heyward
- 51 – DE Isaiah Foskey
- 52 – DE Cedric Johnson
- 56 – DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland
- 57 – LB Eric Gentry
- 58 – LB Jack Dingle
- 68 – DT Jordan Jefferson
- 91 – DT McKinnley Jackson
- 95 – DT Howard Cross III
Notes: Jackson, a former third-round pick, struggled to make the active roster throughout the year last season, and with all the depth on the line added this offseason, he’s probably going to be looking for a new home. What happens with Johnson depends on what happens with Stewart’s knee injury, but I’m not willing to call him a roster lock yet.
At linebacker, it all comes down to whether or not they keep a fifth. Similarly, I wonder if the Bengals could possibly keep seven cornerbacks.
Then at safety, I think that spot goes to either Anthony or Jules, whoever has the better camp. It’s also possible they could keep both, going for five safeties, but neither are locks like Cook, Battle or Dugger.
The Bengals practice more privately this week as they prepare for their Preseason Week 2 game against the Bears at home. We’ll likely get another look at the starters, maybe more of them, and more tape on some of the guys whose positions aren’t etched in stone.
“Is something wrong?” she said
Well of course there is
“You’re still alive,” she said, oh
And do I deserve to be?
Is that the question?
And if so, if so who answer?
I, oh, I’m still alive
Hey, I, hey, I’m still alive