Three Bengals Position Battles to Watch Heading Into First Preseason Game Against the Eagles

The Cincinnati Bengals, who are chasing the playoffs for the first time in two years, released their first depth chart ahead of their first preseason game. This game will be against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Aug. 7th, at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. There are many position battles going on during training camp, and now with a depth chart coming out, we get a definitive look into how they are going. These three position battles are something to keep an eye out for when watching the Bengals this preseason.

Lucas Patrick & Cody Ford

It was thought that Cody Ford would be the Week One starter at right guard for the Cincinnati Bengals this upcoming season; however, Lucas Patrick was set as the first-string right guard in the first depth chart of the offseason. Patrick was signed via free agency this offseason, on a one-year $2.1 million contract. He is a 32-year-old, nine-year veteran. He played for the New Orleans Saints last season, starting 10 games at left guard and one at center.

Cody Ford has been on the Bengals since 2023, appearing in 16 games, starting nine of them primarily due to the Amarius Mims injury. Ford can play guard and tackle, while Patrick can play guard and center. Having experience in the Bengals' blocking scheme and play calling is why he was thought to be the Week One starter. During the preseason contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Zac Taylor has made it known that the starters will play much more this upcoming season, and this gives Bengals fans a good opportunity to watch the position battle firsthand. Patrick is likely to start on the first drive of the game, with Ford coming in after him. It is Patrick's position to lose; with what we have seen from Ford last season, it looks like a good upgrade.

Drew Sample, Noah Fant, & Erick All Jr.

Last season, the Bengals ranked sixth in targets to tight ends and fourth in tight end receptions, relying on that position more than other teams. The Bengals will have four tight ends who caught at least 20 passes last season on their roster, all fighting for snaps and targets. Mike Gesicki caught 65 balls for 665 yards and five touchdowns last season. He was the true number-three receiving option last season. Gesicki also signed a three-year, $25.5 million deal with the Bengals this offseason, securing himself a role in the offense.

However, with Gesicki securing the top spot among Bengals tight ends, there are still three candidates trying to secure more playing time next season. Drew Sample appeared in 17 games last season. He caught 20 passes for 109 yards and one touchdown. Sample was primarily used as a blocking tight end last season, being fairly effective when lining up next to either offensive tackle. Sample is going into his seventh season with the Bengals after being drafted in the second round in 2019. Sample is likely to get his snaps at tight end, maybe just more often in short-yard situations this season.

Noah Fant was just signed by the Bengals on July 31st; the former first-round pick is only costing the Bengals $2.25 to $4.75 million. In 14 games last season, Fant caught 48 passes for 500 yards and a touchdown, being one of their biggest offensive contributors. Fant stands at six-foot-four, 250 pounds, the size to be impactful in the run and pass game. Fant has had troubles in years past when blocking, but if he can figure it out, he is in for a big year with the Bengals.

The Bengals drafted Erick All Jr. in the fourth round last season, and he appeared in nine games, starting in six of them, before going down with a torn ACL in Week Nine. All Jr. caught 20 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown last season, while also being a very impactful blocker as well. He had taken Gesicki’s spot as starting tight end before his injury, but it is unknown what kind of role he will play this season. Due to the injury, Gesicki’s stats spiked for the final eight weeks of the year, bringing him his current role on the Bengals. 

Andrei Iosivas & Jermaine Burton

Last season, there was a lot of drama surrounding third-round pick Jermaine Burton, and his off-field issues caused him to play in 14 games with a limited role. He caught four passes for 107 yards and spent the entire season mostly getting playing time on special teams. Burton has been working with former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh this offseason, and it has been paying off. Burton has been one of the biggest talking points of the offseason and could blossom into the wide receiver three role for the Bengals. 

Andrei Iosivas, who had been the Bengals' wide receiver to step up last season in Tyler Boyd's absence, had the same hype going into last season. Iosivas totaled 36 receptions, 479 yards, and six touchdowns last season, a great year for the sixth-round pick out of Princeton. We know what Iosivas is capable of in this system, but we are yet to see Burton. With what we have seen in training camp this season, don’t be surprised if Burton takes snaps with the first team during the preseason.