Bengals cut candidates, roster bubble update after NFL draft

OL Jalen Rivers

Here’s an underrated one to consider. The Bengals are only going to keep so many interior offensive linemen. Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras and Dalton Risner are the starters. Connor Lew and Brian Parker were great draft picks. Rivers, a solid fifth-rounder from last year, could face some heat. Then again, while Lew was a steal and could be the starter of the future, he might start on an injured list, keeping the heat off the spot for now.

TE Tanner Hudson

Jack Endries, as our instant analysis detailed, was a pretty solid draft pick for the Bengals late in the process. The big three probably aren’t going anywhere: Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Erick All. The only real debate there is All, pending his health. But that could leave Tanner Hudson (and Cam Grandy) exposed if Endries starts to show quick progression.

DE Cedric Johnson

The EDGE depth chart is getting crowded. The unquestioned:

• Myles Murphy
• Shemar Stewart
• Boye Mafe
• Cashius Howell

Granted, there’s some weird scheme stuff going on, with Howell potentially playing a unique role while moving around the formation. Edge guys will kick inside in some 3-4 looks and otherwise, too.

Still, the point stands: Will a guy like Cedric Johnson show enough in these fluid, changing formations to keep a spot on the 53? Especially when they only keep 10 or 11 on the line and are jam-packed on the interior with names too?

McKinnley Jackson

And…speaking of the interior.

Lawrence is here. So is Jonathan Allen to help BJ Hill. The way coaches have talked about TJ Slaton, he’s not going anywhere either. They’ve got a second-round investment in Kris Jenkins (though it wouldn’t be a shock to see him pop up on a hot seat over the summer at this point, either.)

McKinnley Jackson? He was unable to get on the field much last year and asked to be cut or traded. If he doesn’t show something in a hurry, that might just come true, but when it’s convenient for the team, not him, at final cuts.

CB DJ Ivey

Big, lengthy boundary corner backups? DJ Ivey has carved out a nice career for himself basically as such. He’s 6’0” and solid.

Bengals third-round pick Tacario Davis is 6’4” and brimming with upside.

Barring a shocker of a move to safety, Davis is going to make some noise on the depth chart, even if he’s only a tight-end stopper for his first few years in the NFL. They’ve already got boundary guys with Dax Hill and DJ Turner, never mind an exhausting number of potential slot guys, so somebody like Ivey might struggle to keep a spot.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals cut candidates, roster bubble update after NFL draft