Winners:
– First Team Defence
There was a lot of change to the defensive unit from 2020 to 2021. Along with those changes came question marks. In the Bengals preseason opener against the Bucs, the first team defence performed admirably. The DL, led by Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, did well to put pressure on the QB. The secondary also did their job, holding Tom Brady to only one completion.
The second game wasn’t much different. The first team defensive line was able to put pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick. Chidobe Awuzie also had another good performance. After sticking to Antonio Brown in coverage against the Bucs, he did the same against Terry McLaurin, of Washington.
– First Team OL
Needless to say, the offensive line has been a hot topic in Cincinnati. When the preseason began, you knew they were going to be put under the microscope. The unit performed well, and it was against two of the best front sevens in football.
On the bookends, Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff were both rock solid, as expected. But it was mainly the interior with the most question marks.
There were a few penalties, but overall, the reviews are positive. Michael Jordan has turned the most heads, earning PFF grades in the mid-high 80’s. While I don’t necessarily believe he played *that* well, it was encouraging to see improvement from his abysmal play last year. As well, Xavier Su’a-Filo looked pretty solid at RG. Between both Jordan and Su’a-Filo, enough has been shown to, at the very least, provide some optimism that the OL can keep Burrow upright.
Not to be lost in the shuffle, Billy Price has looked solid at C with the first team. While he will not supplant Trey Hopkins as the starter when the season rolls around, his play is encouraging, as he will be a key depth piece.
– DE, Darius Hodge
If we’re looking for underdog stories among the Bengals depth players, Hodge might just be at the top of the list. Going back to my DE overview, the edge room was quite crowded going into camp. As well, an earlier arrest made the water even muddier. However, with all of the depth the Bengals added to the group, it was arguably the rookie UDFA who turned the most heads in the opener. He finished the opener with 1.5 sacks and 5 QB hits. Hodge, according to PFF, had a pass rush win rate of 30%, and earned a PFF grade of 89.6.
His first performance earned him some first team reps in the second game against Washington. Once again, he took advantage of his opportunities. Hodge was a common presence in the backfield, and while he might have let a sack or two slip from his grasp, the pressure he put up was very encouraging.
– RB, Jacques Patrick
Patrick totaled 71 yards from scrimmage through the first two weeks of the preseason, but it wasn’t so much the stats that turned heads, but instead how he got them.
After waiting a year to get into some game action with the Bengals, Patrick clearly put in full effort on every snap. He showed off his tough, powerful running style, proving to be a pain for defenders to bring down. Patrick was able to burst through the hole multiple times for solid gains, and got into the secondary once or twice, as well.
– RB, Chris Evans
Jacques Patrick wasn’t the only RB to impress so far this preseason. Rookie Chris Evans has also had his moments. He has shown good quickness and agility as a runner, while also proving he can contribute as a pass catcher.
Perhaps the best thing he has shown is his ability in pass protection, which was one of his biggest strengths coming out of college. This part of his game will be big, as Giovani Bernard, who previously took on a large portion of this role, is now in Tampa Bay.
– WR, Trent Irwin
Irwin came into camp on the outside looking in, but had himself several good practices, as he made his case for a roster spot. He continued that momentum into the preseason with a great performance in the opener. Albeit against backups, he showed quickness and the ability to get open. Most of all, he showed great toughness, which was emphasized on a play where he took a big hit, but hung on to the ball.
While he is not a roster lock, he is certainly making it hard for them to leave him out.
– DE, Joseph Ossai
Ossai only played in the first game, but looked amazing. He showed the ability to get around the edge with his speed and bend. As well, his high motor made him a constant threat to get to the QB.
However, Ossai just as easily could have been placed in the “loser” category, but through no fault of his own. He left the preseason opener with a wrist injury, and a meniscus injury was also discovered the next day. The latter is potentially season ending, according to reports.
– OL, D’Ante Smith
While Smith has had a few hiccups, the good plays have been really good — and there has been more good than bad. He had some dominant snaps as a run blocker, as well as some good ones in pass protection. Factor in that he is transitioning from OT to G (at the moment) and that he is a rookie 4th rounder that was considered a project… the Bengals have to be happy with where he is at.
– S, Trayvon Henderson
Trayvon Henderson has gotten a lot of playing time this preseason and has looked solid. While it will be tough for him to crack the 53 man roster, considering the depth at the position, he is certainly making his case to, at the very least, stick on the practice squad. Henderson has been around the ball often and was able to snag an interception off a tipped ball in the preseason opener.
– CB, Jalen Davis
Davis is in a competition for the final CB spot, and has been making a good case. He has played well in coverage, and also was able to contribute in run support.
– K, Evan McPherson
While Austin Seibert hasn’t been bad, Evan McPherson is clearly drawing off in the kicking battle. Misses have been rare in camp, and he is a perfect 4/4 so far in preseason play. His long was from 50 yards, but would have been good from well beyond that.
Honourable Mentions: CB Winston Rose, DE Amani Bledsoe, LB Joe Bachie, G Jackson Carman (based on improvement from game 1 to game 2), OT Isaiah Prince, DE Cam Sample.
Losers:
– OT, Gunnar Vogel
Vogel has been competing for one of the final spots on the OL depth chart. Unfortunately, he hasn’t fared so well. He has been beaten several times, creating pressure in the pocket, and on one play, let Joe Tryon go right around him.
– QB, Kyle Shurmur
Shurmur has beaten out Eric Dungey, given that the latter was cut, but that doesn’t guarantee his spot as QB 3. Shurmur has looked shaky at times, making ill-advised passes and showing poor decision making. As well, his ball velocity hasn’t looked great. He will have one more game to prove himself, otherwise the Bengals could look to the waiver wire for their third string QB.
– RB, Trayveon Williams
It is unfortunate for Williams to end up in this category under these circumstances. He was having a good camp, but an injury prevented him from playing in the first two preseason games. In the time he missed, both Jacques Patrick and Chris Evans have impressed, putting Williams’ spot in jeopardy.
– WR, Trent Taylor
Taylor seemed to be securing a spot with his great performances early in camp. However, he hasn’t been able to carry that over into the preseason. Meanwhile, Trent Irwin was able to carry his strong camp performances into the preseason. Irwin’s success had made it tough to leave him off the roster, meaning that Taylor could find himself on the outside looking in if he doesn’t step it up soon.
– WR, Ja’Marr Chase
Chase caught his only target in the preseason opener against the Bucs, but his performance in the second game was nothing short of a disappointment. The receiver committed three drops against Washington, all balls he should have easily come away with.
The drop issues have hung around throughout camp, but I don’t think it is time to hit the panic button. If you fator in rust, and possibly some nerves, it is not a major shock to see a few issues. Considering his hands were a major strength in college, he should come around sooner rather than later.
– CB, Tony Brown
Brown came in with the second team against the Buccaneers and was picked on early. He allowed some receptions and, overall, didn’t seem to be sticking close to his receiver. Couple his performance with good ones by Jalen Davis, and some solid efforts from Winston Rose, and you may have Brown on the outside looking in.
– DT, Tyler Shelvin
Shelvin came with relatively high expectations, considering his 4th round draft position. However, he has looked disappointing so far. His technique hasn’t been great and there have been snaps where his opponent has overpowered him.
Honourable Mentions: RB Samaje Perine, TE Mitchell Wilcox, TE Mason Schreck, DT Renell Wren