Cincinnati Bengals: 6 Bubble Players That Must Make the 2012 Roster

After the position battles are sorted out in the NFL during training camp, the Cincinnati Bengals need to keep some important players on their roster.

While these players are not at the top of the depth chart, they will need to play important roles if the Bengals hope to contend in 2012. 

Cincinnati has a bunch of young talent, and some of them can make a difference for the team in the upcoming season. Many of the positions are already set, so the young players will need to impress during the preseason in order to secure a roster spot.

The Bengals used several of their picks in the 2012 NFL Draft on offensive weapons, but they are not locks to make the team. 

A few veterans need to have strong training camps in order to stay with the team, and they are very important to the team's success. 

Coach Marvin Lewis will be looking for an extension, and he will need role players to step up to lead this team back to the playoffs.

While some of the players listed will have opportunities to make the roster, others may not make the cut due to the team's depth.

Daniel "Boom" Herron, RB

In the sixth round of this year's draft, the Bengals took running back Boom Herron to add depth to their backfield.

Although he has a great chance to make the team, he will need to earn his spot. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott will see the majority of the carries, but the team could use depth behind them.

Cedric Peerman has been the team's insurance back, so he is familiar with the system. He has not contributed much in the past two seasons, but he will also have a chance to make the team.

Boom was drafted to provide depth in case one of the team's top two running backs get injured.

He does not have elite speed, but he does have quick feet to help make cuts. While he is tough to bring down, he needs to improve his blocking ability if he hopes to receive playing time.

With young players on offense, the Bengals will need production from the backfield. Boom gives them versatility and can step up to pound the ball up the middle.

Brian Leonard, RB

Despite not being a true running back, Brian Leonard has been an important member of the team for the past few seasons.

He occasionally lines up at running back, but he can also be considered a fullback. He would have a better chance of making the team as a fullback, but he needs to be on the roster either way.

Mainly used in third-down situations, Leonard usually finds a way to make a big play. He is normally used to catch passes out of the backfield.

Although he lacks speed, he can pretty much do it all on offense. He is valuable because he can run, catch and block. He has also been known to hurdle over defenders. 

Dating back to a 2009 game against Pittsburgh, he has had his share of clutch moments. 

The ability to play special teams will almost certainly give him a roster spot. Other running backs are not as physical as Leonard, so he has an advantage over some of the other players fighting for a spot.

Injuries have limited his playing time in the past, so staying healthy will be key if he hopes to stay on the team.

He may not be the most talented player on the roster, but he leaves it all on the field.

Marvin Jones, WR

With not much experience on the team, the wide receiver position will feature the most competition during the preseason. 

A.J. Green and Jordan Shipley are locks to make the team, while Brandon Tate is almost guaranteed to be on the team because of his ability to return kicks.

Tate has an opportunity to win the No. 2 job, but he may be used only on special teams.

Battling for the last few spots will be rookie Mohamed Sanu, rookie Marvin Jones, Andrew Hawkins, Armon Binns and Ryan Whalen.

Sanu, a third-round pick, is a safe bet to make the team, and he could end up starting opposite Green. With four receiver spots taken, it will be a battle to see who else ends up on the roster.

Jones, a fifth-round pick, is a great route-runner with good speed. He will not be expected to do too much as a rookie, but the Bengals could use a strong season out of him.

His hands make him a valuable asset to the team, and he can help move the chains for an offense that struggled at times last year.

Cincinnati could use a receiver with good hands to draw defenders away from Green, so Jones could earn playing time by getting open in the middle of the field.

Orson Charles, TE

The Bengals have a Pro Bowl tight end in Jermaine Gresham, but they took Orson Charles in the fourth round of this year's draft.

Even though he is a phenomenal athlete, he may not make the team. 

ESPN.com reported earlier this year that the Bengals re-signed tight end Donald Lee. He did not make much of an impact with the team last season, but he provides experience and can block.

Charles is a great playmaker but lacks the ability to block. Since the Bengals may look to run the ball more this season, the team will need players who can block.

He occasionally drops the football, which makes it difficult to overlook his inability to block. He may need a year to adjust to the NFL, but he has the potential to be an offensive threat in the future for the Bengals.

In the 2009 draft, the Bengals took a chance on tight end Chase Coffman. He was also a good offensive player but had trouble blocking. He spent most of his time on the practice squad and now plays for Tampa Bay.

While Coffman did not work out, Charles may end up joining the practice squad if Lee beats him out for the second tight end spot.

With Green, Gresham and possibly Charles on offense, quarterback Andy Dalton would have extremely talented athletes to throw to. 

Dontay Moch, LB

The Bengals had a terrific 2011 draft class, but linebacker Dontay Moch was a major disappointment last year.

After being drafted in the third round last year, he failed to get on the field in 2011. 

A broken foot in the preseason kept him out for the first few weeks, but he was unable to reach the field because of problems with migraines.

Last month, ESPN.com reported Moch will miss the first four games of 2012 because he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

After missing the first 21 games of his career (through the first four games of 2012), Moch will need to be impressive during training camp and the preseason in order to earn a spot on the team.

The gifted linebacker has good speed for his position, so he will give the Bengals a different style of play from the linebacker spot. His speed helps him rush the passer and play different areas on the field.

The Bengals do not have a lot of depth at linebacker, so Moch will have the opportunity to play when he returns from suspension.

He has the ability to be a good linebacker in the NFL, but he needs to get on the field and prove it. With Thomas Howard and Manny Lawson not signed long-term, Moch needs to live up to his potential this season.

Nate Clements, CB

It looks like Nate Clements will remain with the team for this season, but he may not be guaranteed a spot on the roster.

Earlier in the offseason, Cincinnati.com's Joe Reedy mentioned the idea of the team cutting Clements because of his $5.5 million cap hit in 2012. 

While first-round pick Dre Kirkpatrick allows the Bengals to cut Clements, it would be in the team's best interest to keep him around. Their cornerback unit is one of the deepest units in the entire league.

When Leon Hall went down with an Achilles injury in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Clements stepped up and led the secondary.

He did not have an interception before Hall's injury, but he had two during the second half of the season.

His veteran presence should not be overlooked in this youthful secondary. The 32-year-old cornerback can still play in this league, and he can help Kirkpatrick transition to the NFL.

With training camp approaching quickly, Clements will most likely be with the team when they open the season Week 1 in Baltimore.