Cincinnati Bengals: Grading Every Rookie so Far in the Preseason

With two preseason games down and two to go, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2012 roster is nearly set. Truth be told, the roster was practically set when the team broke camp with only a few spots up for grabs.

For most of the 25 rookies currently on the roster, these final two weeks are auditions, either to make the Bengals’ practice squad or even to earn a spot with somebody else. Only nine rookies by my estimation will make the team’s 53-man roster.

What follows is a grade for every Bengal rookie through the first two preseason games.

A

LB Vontaze Burfict, WR Marvin Jones, G Kevin Zeitler

Jones and Burfict have been the rookie stars of training camp thus far. Jones is second on the team in receptions (three) and first in yards (90) while Burfict is second in tackles (10) and has an interception. Neither were high draft picks but both will easily make the team.

Zeitler was a first-round pick and has been a solid starter on the offensive line. Like most offensive linemen, if you don’t notice him then he is doing a good job.

B+

CB Chris Lewis-Harris, DT Devon Still

Still has only two tackles but has been very good on the line and will step right into the Bengals’ rotation. Lewis-Harris, a rookie free agent out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, will not make the team but has six tackles and a sack and should get a look for the practice squad.

B

TE Orson Charles, S Tony Dye, LB Emmanuel Lamur, WR Mohamed Sanu

Both Charles and Sanu have been solid if unspectacular and should make the team. Charles has two receptions for 26 yards while Sanu has two catches for 11 yards and a touchdown. Both have great potential.

Neither Dye nor Lamur will make the team but both have shown that are capable of playing in the NFL, at least as backups. Lamur has six tackles and Dye has collected five.

B-

S George Illoka, CB Taveon Rogers, DT Brandon Thompson

Both Illoka and Thompson will make the team but have plenty of room for improvement. Rogers has had a solid preseason with three tackles.

C

RB Jourdan Brooks, LS Bryce Davis, RB Daniel Herron, WR Kashiff Moore, DT Vaughn Meatoga

None of these guys will make the team and only a few have a shot at making the practice squad. Herron, the Ohio State product, has 12 yards rushing but has gotten little work thanks to the depth in the backfield.

Incomplete

DE Luke Black, QB Tyler Hansen, WR Justin Hilton, LB Grant Hunter, LB Brandon Joiner,  CB Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Shaun Prater, G Trevor Robinson.

The biggest name in this group is Kirkpatrick, the team’s top draft pick who has been injured. Kirkpatrick just returned to practice this week and should be a contributor by Week 1.

Prater has also been injured and will likely be put on injured reserve. Joiner is in prison and has yet to make an appearance in Cincinnati.

The rest of group will either be out of work or on the practice squad.