Bengals Roster Breakdown: RB
Players:
28. Joe Mixon
30. Chase Brown
25. Chris Evans
32. Trayveon Williams
34. Jacob Saylors
36. Calvin Tyler
While the QB position has little going on this summer, the same cannot be said for RB. It seems that there is something to watch in every corner of this position group, whether it is a depth chart battle or off the field drama. It is anyone’s guess how things will play out.
Veteran Joe Mixon currently sits atop the depth chart. As long as he remains here, this won’t change. But the question is, will he be a Bengal on opening day? Multiple reports have suggested that the Bengals will be asking him to take a pay cut, with his roster spot depending on it. With several high profile veterans remaining on the open market, the team may have some leverage in this situation. Regardless, Mixon remains a Bengal, as of this moment. This doesn’t change when the season begins, he is the unquestioned starting RB. Despite a down season last year, he still has the talent to put up big numbers, and an improved offensive line should only help.
The battles down below get very interesting. This figures to involve Chase Brown, Chris Evans, and Trayveon Williams. Brown is a mid round rookie, but possesses the explosiveness and receiving ability to win the second spot. That said, Williams seems to be a favourite of Zac Taylor’s, and if he can show enough in pass protection, he might be able to hold on to it. Evans, meanwhile, has been in the doghouse, though sometimes it has been unclear why. He has clearly outperformed Williams in most aspects, when actually given a chance. If he continues to play well in the preseason, like he did last year, he can certainly grab the second spot.
Regardless of who wins the battle for the second spot, I think you can consider Brown a near lock to make the team. Depending on if the Bengals wish to keep 3 or 4 RB’s, we could see one of Evans or Williams cut. This makes their battle especially important. The loser of the battle could be stashed on the practice squad, but that is not a given, considering the younger guys that are also in the fold.
Those younger guys are Jacob Saylors and Calvin Tyler, both rookie UDFA signings. The Bengals gave Saylors a pretty decent signing bonus for a rookie UDFA, so maybe that gives him an edge going in? Even still, it shouldn’t be big enough to beat out a better performance by Tyler. Overall, I see both as north/south type runners that come with some limitations. Both are long shots to make the roster. If the Bengals go with 4 RB’s on the roster, at least one of these two should make the practice squad. If they keep 3, the two UDFA’s could be fighting with the loser of the Evans/Williams battle for a spot on the practice squad. They may even have to beat out someone cut from another team. Needless to say, their performances in camp/preseason will be key.
Featured Image Via: Erik Drost (CC)