The Bengals were at it on Thursday for one last preseason game, marking the final opportunity for the fringe players to make a case for a roster spot. In fact, some players have already been cut since the conclusion of that game. But with many tough decisions still to be made, let’s take a look at who helped and hurt their stock in the preseason finale.
Winners:
S, Jordan Battle
Battle was the biggest standout in this one, with a few good plays. His most notable one was a pick 6 in the 1st quarter, which tied the game at 7. Battle has been relegated to 3rd on the depth chart after Vonn Bell’s return, but going up against Indy’s starters, the sophomore safety was able to show that he is still progressing nicely.
WR, Jermaine Burton
It remains to be seen how involved Burton will be early in the season, but he continued to flash in the preseason. Woodside seemed to be looking his way often, when he wanted to stretch the field. It was Burton who caught the team’s lone offensive TD. It was a deeper pass down the sideline.
OT, Jaxson Kirkland
When the group is healthy, the top three will consist of Orlando Brown, Trent Brown, and Amarius Mims. But Kirkland may have just achieved the (nearly) impossible, and taken hold of the OT4 spot. He hadn’t even been working as a tackle to start camp, but after Jackson Carman and Cody Ford have largely flopped at tackle (Carman has since been cut), the Bengals had to try something. Kirkland has looked fairly good on the outside, and should be in the OT4 conversation. I do wonder if Ford’s veteran status still gets him that spot, or if they can get someone on the waiver wire. The wire is a legitimate option, but based on their preseason play, I would have Kirkland ahead of Ford, who can instead backup primarily at G.
OT, Devin Cochran
Cochran was somewhat of an unknown after spending his rookie season last year on IR. Based on the traits, he is someone who we knew had potential. Throughout the preseason, he has quietly gotten better, and has put himself in the conversation for a roster spot. If the numbers squeeze him out, he should resurface on the practice squad.
C, Matt Lee
Lee has been one of the best rookie offensive linemen in the NFL, during the preseason. His pass protection has been stellar. By this point, it is certain that he has won the C2 battle.
DE, Cedric Johnson
The Bengals have been looking for some DL to step up, and Johnson delivered his best performance in the preseason finale. He was putting up consistent pressure off the edge. He didn’t get credited with a sack, but did have one nullified by a defensive penalty on the play. But in the preseason, the tape matters more than the stats.
LB, Shaka Heyward
After a quiet preseason opener, Heyward bounced back with two good performances to close the preseason. Njongmeta has earned a lot of hype, but Heyward’s athleticism and coverage ability has made that LB5 decision a tough one. They are different players with polar opposite skill sets. We’ll see who makes it, but I have been impressed more with Heyward in the last two games.
DE, Justin Blazek
Blazek got a good run of playing time, and was rewarded with a sack. He has flashed some ability as a pass rusher, and has a good motor. This performance might have been enough to land him a spot on the practice squad.
Losers:
C, Trey Hill
Hill makes it in the loser category for a third straight week. At this point, C2 is certainly out of the question for him. His roster spot, meanwhile, is in jeopardy, with other players having stepped up.
G/OT, Cody Ford
Ford didn’t look so bad that he should be cut, but he did look overmatched when playing tackle against the Indy starters, including on one play where he gave up a sack. His run blocking was even worse. He should make the roster, but guys like Kirkland are threatening to take his spot in a higher position on the depth chart.
Offensive Production
The offence has failed in all three games to generate any serious offensive production with the backups in. It wasn’t until late when Woodside finally found Burton for a TD. Though wins and losses aren’t the be all, end all in the preseason, it would have been good to see more guys step up, especially from the skill positions.
S, Daijahn Anthony
Anthony had had a good camp, but didn’t turn in his best performance. He took some bad angles when in pursuit, and he also had some bad moments in coverage. It shouldn’t impact his roster spot, but was worth pointing out.
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