Post 2016 NFL Draft: Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
By Jon Dove
The bulk of free agency and the 2016 NFL draft are in the books which makes it a great time to look at the Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart.
The Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart is one of the deepest in the NFL. They have done a great job in recent drafts adding replacements for their aging players. The only major concern comes at the wide receiver position where there isn’t much talent outside of AJ Green.
Quarterback
Starter: Andy Dalton
Backup: AJ McCarron
Cincinnati is in good hands at the quarterback position with Dalton entrenched as the starter and McCarron playing well late last season.
Running Back
Starter: Jeremy Hill
3rd Down: Giovani Bernard
Backups: Rex Burkhead and Cedric Peerman
Hill and Bernard will continue to share the load with both players getting plenty of touches. Look for Burkhead to get worked in a little at receiver.
Wide Receiver
Starter: AJ Green and Brandon LaFell
No. 3: Tyler Boyd
Backups: Cody Core, Brandon Tate, James Wright
Cincinnati really needs rookie Tyler Boyd to make an early impact. It’s highly possible that he replaces LaFell in the starting lineup by the middle of the season. This group could be a real problem as there just isn’t enough talent or depth.
Left Tackle
Starter: Andrew Whitworth
Backups: Jack Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi
Whitworth continues to perform at a very high level, but if his play drops off the Bengals have Fisher or Ogbuehi ready to step in.
Left Guard
Starter: Cedric Ogbuehi
Backups: Clint Boling, Christian Westerman and Jake Fisher
This will be a position to keep an eye on during training camp as any one of the 4 players listed can win the starting job.
Center
Starter: Russell Bodine
Backups: Clint Boling
Bodine is a steady performer who has a strong hold on the starting job.
Right Guard
Starter: Kevin Zeitler
Backups: Jake Fisher, Christian Westerman and Clint Boling
Zeitler is one of the better guards in the NFL and an anchor on the Bengals offensive line.
Right Tackle
Starter: Jake Fisher
Backups: Eric Winston and Cedric Ogbuehi
This is another spot that will see heavy competition during training camp. I’ve giving Fisher the nod because he’s more polished than Ogbuehi and more athletic than Winston.
Tight End
Starter: Tyler Eifert
Backups: Tyler Kroft and Ryan Hewitt
Eifert showed last year that he has the ability to be a major difference maker in the passing game. However, he continues to have issues staying healthy. Cincinnati really needs Eifert to play 16 games in order to help offset the loss of talent at wide receiver.
Defensive End
Starters: Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson
Backups: Margus Hunt and Will Clarke
Dunlap and Johnson make up a good tandem on the outside. Both have the ability to generate pressure off the edge and work to stuff the run. However, the Bengals need either Hunt or Clarke to improve and become part of the rotation.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Geno Atkins and Domata Peko
Backups: Brandon Thompson, Andrew Billings, Pat Sims and Marcus Hardison
Geno Atkins remains one of the more disruptive defensive players in the NFL. This is a solid position group with depth and talent. However, they really don’t have anyone to replace Atkins penetration should he miss time with an injury.
SAM Linebacker
Starter: Karlos Dansby
Backups: Jayson DiManche, Paul Dawson and Trevor Roach
Despite his age, Karlos Dansby continues to be a high-impact player. Cincinnati has good linebacker depth with several players that can rotate between all three positions.
Middle Linebacker
Starter: Rey Maualuga
Backups: Vincent Rey, Nick Vigil and Vontaze Burfict
Maualuga is heading into his 8th season as a major contributor for the Bengals.
WILL Linebacker
Starter: Vontaze Burfict
Backups: Jayson DiManche, Vincent Rey and Paul Dawson
Burfict’s 4-game suspension will provide an opportunity for someone get valuable experience. It could also serve as an audition to eventually replace the aging Dansby or oft-troubled Burfict.
Cornerback
Starters: Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones
Nickelback: Darqueze Dennard
Backups: William Jackson III and Josh Shaw
Cincinnati has 4 cornerbacks who could basically start for any team in the league. It’ll be interesting to see who gets more time on the field between Dennard and the rookie Jackson.
Safety
Starters: George Iloka and Shawn Williams
Backups: Derron Smith and Taylor Mays
Both Iloka and Williams got new deals during the offseason and now need to prove their worth. Iloka is already an established producer, but Williams still has some developing to do.