Special Teams (3)
Punter: Kevin Huber
Kicker: Evan McPherson
Long Snapper: Clark Harris
This one is reasonably simple and ideal. Nobody is competing with Clark Harris and Evan McPherson for these jobs. Kevin Huber returned despite being a free agent so while Drue Chrisman is on the roster and will compete with him in camp, it feels like Huber’s job to lose.
The Bengals did sign a long snapper from Pittsburgh in Cal Adomaitis, but Harris has been proven at this spot for years, so he won’t struggle to win the job. Chrisman and Adomaitis could be guys that Cincinnati hopes to develop and be future long-term pieces.
Practice Squad (15)
QB (1): Jake Browning
WR (3): Trenton Irwin, Pooka Williams, Jaivon Heiligh
RB (1): Shermari Jones
OL (2): Trey Hill, Hakeem Adeniji
DB (2): Jalen Davis, Michael Thomas
LB (2): Keandre Jones, Carson Wells
DL (1): Jeffery Gunter
LS (1): Cal Adomaitis
P (1): Drue Chrisman
You can hold up to 16 players on the practice squad; these 15 make the most sense for the Bengals to hold onto throughout the season. Fans could see a lot of Adeniji, Irwin, Hill, Jones, and Davis throughout the year. Injuries happen, so the Bengals having some guys who have some experience on the team will be helpful.
The undrafted rookies appearing throughout this roster prediction include Heiligh, Wells, Adomaitis, Jones, and Ben Brown, who I have as the sleeper to make the roster. Clay Johnston could be that 16th guy the Bengals look to keep, but he very well could be claimed elsewhere.
What changes would you make to my 53-man roster prediction?