The Cincinnati Bengals open the preseason against the Cardinals on Friday. Which three players need to pop in the first preseason game of the summer?
After months of waiting to see the Cincinnati Bengals back on an actual football field, the stripes will take the field on Friday night for the first time since losing the Super Bowl in February. The defending AFC champions will take on the Arizona Cardinals in the newly-named Paycor Stadium.
The preseason is important because it gives the guys who are unknown a chance to show what they can do and what kind of impact they could have on the roster. It’s also important for players in position battles, whether it’s for a starting gig or a backup gig.
Here are three members of the Bengals who need to show something in the preseason opener against Arizona.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference
3. Tyler Shelvin
Despite being a fourth-round pick last year, Tyler Shelvin could find himself on the roster bubble if he fails to show anything during the preseason. An LSU alum, Shelvin didn’t see much playing time in the 2021 season, appearing in just 28% of the defensive snaps in his three games.
Shelvin being a recent draft pick and the lack of depth for the interior defensive line should help keep him on the roster but it’s time for him to show fans why the team spent an early Day 3 pick on him. Time to shine, Shelvin.
2. Jackson Carman
Similar to Tyler Shelvin, Jackson Carman will likely be making the team unless something unexpected happens. It is important for Carman to have a good preseason showing, however, because this is a huge year for the second-year lineman.
A second-round pick out of Clemson last year, Carman didn’t see much starting time at right guard. Hakeem Adeniji took over Carman’s job when he returned from injury and now that Alex Cappa is in town, right guard isn’t the concern.
Carman is the favorite to win the left guard gig over rookie fourth-rounder Cordell Volson and this is his chance to prove why he deserves the job. We saw promising moments from Carman during his limited playing time a season ago but now he needs to build on that.
The starters might not play much in the opener but if Carman does get to take a few snaps at left guard, he needs to make those count.
1. Trenton Irwin
The wide receivers who may find themselves lower on the depth chart definitely have to step it up in the preseason and show why they deserve a chance to make the regular-season roster.
Trenton Irwin is no stranger to this kind of situation. Just last year he was a long shot to make the 53-man roster but with hard work and preservation, he was able to crack the roster and spend the 2021 season with the Bengals. Can he do it again this year?
This time a year ago, Irwin was wowing and dazzling during training camp but the Stanford product has been much quieter this year in camp. He finally had a day where he stood out but with UDFA rookies such as Kwamie Lassiter and Kendric Pryor showing off nearly every day, Irwin can’t be content with just one good day of work.
Irwin was able to make the team because of the production he had during the preseason last summer so he knows what it takes to get onto the roster. Let’s see if he can execute against the Cardinals on Friday night.
These three Bengals better step up and show something during Friday’s tilt with the Cardinals.