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Bengals 53-man roster projection before 2022 training camp kicks off

By Leigh Oleszczak

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) dances with the offense after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Bengals beat the Steelers 41-10.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) dances with the offense after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 12 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Bengals beat the Steelers 41-10.Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals /
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Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Running Backs (3)

  • Joe Mixon
  • Samaje Perine
  • Chris Evans

I debated having the Bengals roster four running backs but it seems like a waste of a spot, truthfully. These three names seem pretty obvious to make the team so if they open things up for a fourth spot, that will be where the competition stems from.

Mixon is definitely making the team after he put up career-high numbers in 2021. Behind him will be Perine, who despite getting the call in some key moments and not delivering, is a solid backup to have on the team.

Evans didn’t get a ton of opportunities last year but the hope is that Zac Taylor makes him a bigger part of the offense in 2022. Evans has the ability to make noise as both a runner and as a pass-catcher and he could very well be the team’s best-kept secret this year.

Wide Receivers (6)

  • Ja’Marr Chase
  • Tee Higgins
  • Tyler Boyd
  • Stanley Morgan
  • Mike Thomas
  • Trent Taylor

While I’d love to have a UDFA make the team, we don’t know enough about any of them yet to assume they’ll edge out guys who have spent time with the organization.

Chase, Higgins, and Boyd are the easy ones to choose to make the roster. We could definitely see some new faces emerge as likely roster locks but for now, we’ll go with the safe picks.

Morgan and Thomas have spent several years with the Bengals while Taylor provided a nice return specialist option during his inaugural year in Cincinnati. He should make the team.