Cincinnati Bengals: Breaking Down Final Roster and Week 1 Starters

After an excruciating process, the Cincinnati Bengals found a way to reduce their roster to just 53 players ahead of the Week 1 showdown with the Oakland Raiders.

Thanks to strong drafting year after year, coach Marvin Lewis and Co. didn't have an easy time at any spot outside of quarterback, which is great in the grand scheme of things. As the dust settles, it looks like the team might be the deepest in the defensive backfield, while—on paper—the depth on the interior of the offensive line looks shaky.

Within, let's take a look at how the 53-man roster unfolded. Keep in mind Vontaze Burfict hits the physically unable to perform list and notable names such as James Wright, Cedric Ogbuehi, Jayson DiManche, Sean Porter and Marquis Flowers are on injured reserve.

Quarterback

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QB: Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron

There was never a debate about how this one would play out.

Andy Dalton remains the starter, and AJ McCarron is the backup. The team was a bit anticlimactic with this one, cutting Josh Johnson well before needing to reduce the roster to 53 players.

In any case, the Bengals have what they want. Dalton remains the experienced starter, and McCarron continues to look like a similar player who can execute the offense if necessary.

Running Back

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RB: Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman

No shocks here, either. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard project as the starters, although H-back Ryan Hewitt (listed with tight ends) will see plenty of time, as will the surprising Rex Burkhead. 

Burkhead posted a monster preseason when the coaching staff gave him plenty of chances to shine, so he figures to steal some opportunities that in past years would have went to Cedric Peerman.

Either way, Burkhead and Peerman figure to play a major role on special teams when not on the sidelines. They are important depth and are versatile enough that the team felt comfortable keeping four backs.

Wide Receiver and Tight End

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WR: A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Brandon Tate, Greg Little, Mario Alford

TE: Tyler Eifert, Ryan Hewitt (H-back), Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah

There were a couple of mild surprises when it comes to weapons for the offense.

For one, Brandon Tate kept his roster spot despite his exclusive special teams usage, a slight surprise given the fact the team has returners such as Adam Jones and Bernard to use.

Also surprising is the Greg Little resurgence, perhaps one of the best stories to come out of the summer. Despite struggling, it doesn't seem the coaching staff was willing to let go of C.J. Uzomah, either.

Outside of the surprises, nothing much changes for the Bengals at these familiar spots.

Offensive Line

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LT: Andrew Whitworth, Jake Fisher

LG: Clint Boling

C: Russell Bodine, T.J. Johnson

RG: Kevin Zeitler

RT: Andre Smith, Eric Winston

For now, nothing changes along the starting five in the offensive trenches. Center looks like the question mark, and the coaching staff didn't hesitate much to yank Russell Bodine in favor of T.J. Johnson in the preseason, so it's something to watch. 

The key here for the Bengals is health. Four of the five spots look great, but things will begin to crumble in a hurry if an injury occurs. Eric Winston and Jake Fisher are versatile backups, but things look thin if a full-blown bug invades the roster.

Defensive Line

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LDE: Carlos Dunlap, Margus Hunt

NT: Domata Peko, Pat Sims

DT: Geno Atkins, Brandon Thompson, Marcus Hardison

RDE: Michael Johnson, Wallace Gilberry, Will Clarke

The big story about the Bengals along the defensive line is the team's decision to cut Devon Still. 

From a football standpoint, the move made too much sense not to happen. The team brought back Pat Sims this summer to help bolster the run defense with Domata Peko. It also moved rookie Marcus Hardison to tackle, where he showed great progress in exhibitions.

On the ends, Margus Hunt might have been on the bubble in a big way were it not for injuries at other spots creating room. Alongside Wallace Gilberry and Will Clarke, Hunt will help on a rotational basis, as is the norm in Cincinnati.

Perhaps most interesting is the Peko-Sims relationship. The other spots are secure, but one has to think the coaching staff would make a change if one or the other doesn't play well.

Linebacker

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SLB: Emmanuel Lamur, P.J. Dawson, Chris Carter

MLB: Rey Maualuga, A.J. Hawk

WLB: Vincent Rey

This looks bare bones, but keep in mind the team will get Burfict back midseason.

Versatility is the name of the game here. Vincent Rey has started in the middle before, but he's athletic enough to play on the weak side. Veteran A.J. Hawk can line up in the middle or strong side.

While he's unproven per se, rookie P.J. Dawson can line up pretty much wherever the team needs him. To top it all off, the surprising Chris Carter can rush from multiple spots and figures to line up with his hand in the dirt on passing downs.

If injuries strike, the Bengals are well-equipped to shuffle players around and still make things work.

Defensive Back

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LCB: Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, Josh Shaw

RCB: Adam Jones, Chris Lewis-Harris

Slot: Leon Hall

SS: George Iloka, Derron Smith

FS: Reggie Nelson, Shawn Williams

A glance at the above should say one thing—past injury issues suffered by the secondary shouldn't crop up this year. 

Adam Jones, Leon Hall and Dre Kirkpatrick form a solid starting punch, with the reliable Chris Lewis-Harris and high-upside Darqueze Dennard rotating in for good measure. Rookie Josh Shaw could see time, too. 

At safety, it looks like business as usual with what might be the league's most underrated starting duo backed by two high-upside younger players waiting for an opportunity. Any way sliced, this is the deepest area for the Bengals. 

Special Teams

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P: Kevin Huber

K: Mike Nugent

LS: Clark Harris

With continuity the name of the game on special teams, the Bengals didn't do much to challenge punter Kevin Huber or kicker Mike Nugent, although Tom Obarski performed well this preseason.

It's the same story for Clark Harris, who takes care of business as the team's veteran long snapper.

In the end, the Bengals found a way to walk the tightrope to trim the roster and look great on paper, especially in lacking areas from one season ago. While borderline boring in the sense that nothing much changed when it comes to starters, like special teams, continuity is a big deal in the NFL.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of September 7. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.