3 under-the-radar Bengals who could make 53-man roster

With such a stacked and talented roster, there won’t be many opportunities for surprise players to make the final roster for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, a few guys who have a better shot than they probably get credit for having. This is understandable, given the positions they play and the players ahead of them on the depth chart. 

Nevertheless, some players are so talented that their presence will be felt during training camp and the preseason games. And when they do, these three under-the-radar Bengals could make the 53-man roster. 

Kwamie Lassiter II

One of the standouts from last year’s training camp and preseason was Kwamie Lassiter II. He barely missed out on making the final roster. Fortunately for the Bengals, they brought him back on the practice squad. 

Last year, Lassiter was a victim of the numbers game at the receiver position. That could play out again this year, which would be a shame. 

The Bengals added more competition to the receiver's room this offseason. They selected two receivers in the 2023 draft. Charlie Jones was picked in the fourth round, and Andrei Iosivas in the sixth. This steepens the climb to the roster for Lassiter.

Lassiter is a versatile receiver who can play outside and in the slot. He can also return kickoffs and punts. The young wideout put on a show during the preseason when he caught 13 passes on 16 targets for 138 yards and zero drops. 

Lassiter was targeted seven times in the preseason matchup with the Giants. He had seven receptions on seven targets for 91 yards.

It is hard to expect Lassiter to do more to make the final team than he did last year. Let’s hope he gets more opportunities to show his worth again this preseason so that he will get picked up by a team who needs a receiver if he does not find his way onto the Bengals’ squad.   

More importantly, don’t count him out for the Bengals final roster. 

Raymond Johnson III

There is a lot of talent along Cincinnati’s defensive line. But one of the players that flies most under the radar is Raymond Johnson III. 

Johnson flashed throughout the preseason last year. He consistently pressured the passer from the defensive end and tackle positions.

Johnson showed all-out hustle on every play during the preseason games. One play in particular that stood out in this regard was in the game versus the Arizona Cardinals. Quarterback Trace McSorley took off from the 18 years line and scrambled for a 17-yard gain. Johnson, lined up as a defensive tackle, chased down McSorley just shy of the goal line, saving a touchdown.  

Moreover, on a team that needs pass-rushing options, Johnson proved capable of getting to opposing quarterbacks for the Bengals in preseason games. Now he needs to show enough this offseason to get an opportunity to do it in the regular season. 

Johnson made a very strong case to be on the 53-man roster last preseason. His performance was so good that it makes you wonder if there was any way for him to make the team to begin with. 

Like with Lassiter, if Johnson does not stick with the final-53 in Cincinnati, hopefully, he will show enough to prove he should be on another team’s active roster. 

Jacob Saylors

There is no other group of players on an NFL team more under-the-radar than the undrafted rookie free agents. The Bengals have a couple with a real shot of making the team. Guard Jaxson Kirkland has been mentioned often as a guy with a good chance of making the team. Yet, another name is hoping to enter that particular conversation. 

Rookie running back Jacob Saylors hopes to make the most of every opportunity he gets in training camp and the preseason. 

Saylors is a nice blend of power and speed and is tough to take down. He was also very good at recognizing and picking up blitzes in college. This could be why we have not seen as much of Chris Evans as we thought we would have up to this point.  

In his final season at ETSU, Saylors recorded 1,314 yards on 226 carries, 15 rushing touchdowns, and averaged 5.8 yards per rush. He also caught 21 passes for 159 yards. 

Saylors also returned kickoffs while at East Tennessee State, something he should attempt to do in Cincinnati as he looks to stand out in the crowd. 

With Chris Evans getting no rushes last season, there could be an opportunity for Saylors to snag the last running back spot if the team keeps four come cutdown day. A possibility that very few could have imagined when he first signed with the team. 

It will be an uphill climb for Saylors, Johnson, and Lassiter to make the final 53-man roster for the Bengals. However, even though it is a long shot and no one talks about them, do not count these under-the-radar guys out.