Bengals Roster: Early 53 Man Projection

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Jan 5, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals special teams coach Darrin Simmons (left) and linebacker Vincent Rey (57) during the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive End

Carlos Dunlap

Wallace Gillberry

Margus Hunt

Will Clarke

Donte Moch

Defensive Tackle

Geno Atkins

Domata Peko

Brandon Thompson

Devon Still

Linebacker

Vontaze Burfict

Emmanuel Lamur

Sean Porter

Jayson DiManche

Ray Maualuga

Vincent Rey

Cornerback

Leon Hall

Adam Jones

Darqueze Dennard

Terrence Newman

Dre Kirkpatrick

Safety

Reggie Nelson

Shawn Williams

George Iolka

Danieal Manning

Taylor Mays

Versatility is going to be the name of the game and how you make this roster. The last spots will come down to special teams and how many positions you can contribute at. I think this is finally the year that Donte Moch makes the final roster. It will be his ability to rush the passer but most importantly his special teams play that will get him on.

At linebacker there shouldn’t be any surprises, it looks like Emmanuel Lamur will probably start off as the starting strong side linebacker and alternate with a combination of Sean Porter and Vincent Rey. The other option will be to slide Ray Maualuga over and insert Rey into the middle linebacker spot.

The only real question at corner will be if they keep a 35 year old Terrence Newman who played well but whose body gave out at the end of last season. Leon Hall seems like he will be ready to go at the start of the season, if he returns to form the corner position will be real strong. Safety will be one of the strongest positions with both quality veterans and an influx of youth. I think the last spot will come down to Taylor Mays or college free agent Isaiah Lewis. Mays has the ability to play nickel backer but Lewis is a more natural safety and would be great on kick coverage.

Special Teams

K – Mike Nuggent

P – Kevin Huber

LS – Clark Harris

Oh and then there is the specialists, the only real competition I see that could happen would be Quinn Sharp push to be the kicker. But we know the Nug is on scholarship and isn’t going anywhere.