Bengals Release First Depth Chart: What to Know
The Cincinnati Bengals released their final depth chart of the offseason before the season opener against the Cleveland Browns. The depth chart gives fans a final look into who won position battles and who is likely to be in the rotation offensively and defensively. Some players won as expected, while others took a step back. Some exploded onto the scene and are expected to be significant contributors this season.
Joseph Ossai beats out Shemar Stewart for DE
Joseph Ossai was named the Week One starter at left defensive end heading into his fourth NFL season. Ossai was drafted in the third round out of Texas and is in the final year of his rookie deal. Ossai had five sacks last season, finishing second on the team behind Trey Hendrickson, who will be starting at right defensive end this year. Ossai was given the starting spot over Shemar Stewart after a strong offseason, during which he "drastically improved," according to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.
Shemar Stewart could very well play himself into a starting spot along with another former Bengals first-round pick, Myles Murphy, who was drafted out of Clemson in 2023. Stewart didn't participate in Bengals training camp until he signed his rookie deal on July 25th, the last first-round pick to sign. Stewart has the upside of helping the run defense, something that struggled a ton last season and during this year's preseason. Stewart, unlike any of the other defensive ends on the Bengals roster already mentioned, hasn't had a ton of reps, and with more time to get used to the transition from college to the NFL, Stewart could be a starter at some point this season.
Lucas Patrick Wins Battle for Right Guard
Lucas Patrick, a free agent signing from the New Orleans Saints, was named the week one starter at right guard for the Bengals. Patrick, a nine-year NFL veteran, won the job over Cody Ford, who is entering his third season in Cincinnati. He has appeared in 33 games at all five offensive line positions over the past two seasons. With Patrick as the starter and Ford as the backup, Ford will likely still appear in most games this season as a rotational piece getting snaps at guard and right tackle, like he did last season when the Bengals' offensive line dealt with injuries.
Bengals Crowded Tight End Room
The Bengals depth chart features five tight ends plus another tight end on the injury list. Drew Sample, the only remaining Bengal from the Marvin Lewis era, was named as the starting tight end with Mike Gesicki as the "backup". Both of those tight ends are likely to lead the team in snaps this upcoming season, Sample seeing most of his on run plays and Gesicki on pass plays. Last season, the Bengals had the most production from different tight ends. Five tight ends caught at least five passes, adding Erick All, Cam Grandy, and Tanner Hudson into the offensive conversation for this season. The Bengals also added former first-round pick Noah Fant to the offense, who caught 48 passes for 500 yards last season. The Bengals are expected to use all of the tight ends, all of them making the 53-man roster.
