Cincinnati Bengals Week 1 Stock Report
It's stock time while the Cincinnati Bengals prepare for the 2015 season opener against the Oakland Raiders.
Much has changed around the organization over the past few days. Coach Marvin Lewis and the front office have said goodbye to recognizable names such as Devon Still, placed Vontaze Burfict on the physically unable to perform list and sent Cedric Ogbuehi and others to injured reserve.
As for stock, there are several players—backups or not—on the rise. A few look stuck in a free fall, but those names are few and far between with the real plummeting names off the roster.
Within, let's take a look at some of Cincinnati's most notable names on the stock market, although keep in mind the pendulum can swing back in the other direction soon, just like the real thing.
Stock Up: Chris Carter, DE
1 of 6Chris Carter is the biggest winner of all.
Carter entered the league in 2011 as a fifth-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to travel around a bit as he struggled to find a role.
In Cincinnati, Carter has a role as a defensive end who can rush the passer in the right situation. It's how the coaching staff continues to use him after he shocked the globe and made the final 53-man roster, too.
ESPN.com's Coley Harvey shared the news on Twitter: "Interesting to note that during this early walkthrough period (about all media can see), LB Chris Carter working exclusively with DEs."
Lewis has long searched for a speed-rushing specialist who can rush with his hand in the dirt or standing up. Carter fills the need in a big way, surprise or not.
Stock Down: Russell Bodine, C
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It's been a rough preseason for second-year center Russell Bodine, to say the least.
Bodine struggled as a rookie, but most figured the issues were growing pains. Instead, the North Carolina product appears stuck in neutral and wound up ranked as the 72nd center this preseason at Pro Football Focus on a list grading 78 players.
To make matters worse, the coaching staff used Bodine as the only offensive starter in the meaningless fourth preseason game in an effort to turn things around. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Dehner Jr. shared the details: "Offense opens with all the second team, except for Russell Bodine at center."
Should the struggles continue, the coaching staff might feel it best to put T.J. Johnson as the starter. It's something to watch.
Stock Up: AJ McCarron, QB
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Yes, AJ McCarron is the backup, and it's a status that is unlikely to change.
But McCarron is a notable riser for his strong preseason, which in large part helped the Bengals bump Josh Johnson from the roster before the team even made it to final 53-man cuts.
McCarron has made plenty of throws and showed he has a strong grip on the offense in what essentially amounts to his rookie year after injuries one season ago. He's also stood tall in collapsing pockets, something he takes pride in when talking with the media.
"That's my job. That's what I get paid for," McCarron said, per Harvey. "Like I said from the start, if my number ever gets called, they can depend on me. I'll stand in the pocket and take hits. Hits don't bother me. I've been hit my whole life."
There isn't a quarterback competition in Cincinnati by any means. What there is, though, is a strong belief in a young signal-caller who looks up to task if an injury occurs.
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Stock Down: Margus Hunt, DE
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Were it not for injuries, defensive end Margus Hunt might not get a mention here because he could have been on the cutting room floor.
Hunt has struggled all preseason outside of a few bright spots. Injury issues or not, the team is so deep in the trenches that the big man was a cut favorite of many (just do a Twitter search).
Regardless, Hunt is on the final roster and figures to rotate in plenty along with Wallace Gilberry, if not Carter. He now has a major opportunity to both get healthy and show the coaching staff his bull-rushing ways are still booming.
It seemed close, but Hunt is on board. The coaching staff loves his potential, and now it's about what he does from here. This could easily turn into a rising stock in less than a week.
Stock Up: Rex Burkhead, RB
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Cincinnati didn't feature Rex Burkhead much last year, but if preseason usage is any sign, he'll be a large part of the equation this season.
Burkhead has been all over the place in exhibitions, lining up in the backfield and out of the slot. He's made big catches from both areas and shown to be a favorite target of Andy Dalton's when he needs to get rid of the ball in a hurry.
It's not just about offense when it comes to backfield depth, though, and Burkhead has shown plenty in other areas, as Jay Morrison of Cox Media Group helped illustrate: "Rex Burkhead would have had a blocked punt had he not had his facemask grabbed. Still almost got his hand on it."
Long story short, Burkhead can do it all. It wouldn't stand as a shock to see him compete for serious target numbers this season.
Stock Up: Derron Smith, S
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The globe seemed split on whether sixth-round pick Derron Smith would make Cincinnati's final roster.
Smith played as advertised this preseason, creating a number of prolific turnovers in practice. The problem was the play of fifth-year pro Shiloh Keo, who made the coaching staff's decision a difficult one because it didn't make sense to keep more than four safeties.
Lewis talked about the degree of difficulty in the decision, per Harvey: "Derron has a lot of upside in his future. That was a close call. Keo certainly worked his tail off and has nothing to be ashamed of for what he's done here."
The proving ground for Smith isn't hard to figure out. He's going to see a prominent role on special teams and may rotate into the base defense when the staff brings on extra defensive backs. It's clear the team believes in his upside, which may keep his stock on the rise if he sees action and matches the hype.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com and are accurate as of September 8. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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