Bengals' depth chart through two weeks of training camp: Analyzing who is rising

The Cincinnati Bengals used all 10 of their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, which has created a new wave of depth and more competitive roster battles than the Bengals have had over the last few years.Adding in some undrafted free agents who have developed in the Bengals’ system for multiple years, the Bengals have a stronger 90-man roster this summer.

While their depth isn’t as strong at running back, the Bengals have their best depth in years at wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line and safety.

Here’s where the Bengals’ depth chart stands.

Quarterbacks

Starter: Joe Burrow

Second team: Jake Browning

It’s the most settled position group on the Bengals’ depth chart. It’ll be interesting to see how extensively Browning plays in the preseason now that he has a proven track record as a backup quarterback.

Running backs

Starter: Chase Brown

Second team: Zack Moss, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans

Brown has made such a big leap from 2023 to 2024 that it looks like the Bengals have a new player wearing No. 30. His aggressiveness running between the tackles, his cuts and his breakaway speed give him the look of a starter. Regardless of who gets the official starter designation, Brown and Moss will both play a lot.

Williams and Evans are known commodities at running back, and neither has received much of an opportunity over the last few years. Their value with the new kick return rule could be a factor, but Brown and Charlie Jones are the Bengals’ first-team kick returners.

Wide receivers

Starters: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas

Second team: Trenton Irwin, Jermaine Burton, Charlie Jones, Shedrick Jackson

The Bengals showed how they view Iosivas by having him learn the slot. They’re looking for more ways to get him on the field in 2024.

The Bengals have more speed at receiver than Zac Taylor has had during his head coaching career. They drafted Burton because they really value his ability to take the top off the defense. Because of Iosivas and Jones’ improvement in that area this year, Burton has been competing for snaps with the first-team group.

Tight ends

Starter: Drew Sample

Second team: Mike Gesicki, Erick All, Tanner Hudson, Tanner McLachlan

While Gesicki should lead this group in receiving yards, Sample is the one who earned a three-year contract. The Bengals are experimenting with more two tight end sets this year, and Sample’s value as a blocker is a big part of that plan.

Erick All is the Bengals’ most versatile tight end, which gives him the ability to back up any player ahead of him on the depth chart.

No one in the NFL values Hudson as much as Burrow, and Hudson has given frequent reminders this summer of his feel and savvy as a route runner. Whenever Hudson gets an opportunity this year, he’ll make plays.

Offensive line

First team: Orlando Brown Jr., Cordell Volson, Ted Karras, Alex Cappa, Trent Brown

Second team: Amarius Mims,  Cody Ford, Jaxson Kirkland, Trey Hill

The talk of the trenches this summer has been that Mims doesn’t look like a rookie.Some Bengals like Brown, Iosivas and Myles Murphy look noticeably stronger than they did last year. Mims enters the league with an NFL frame. The most impressive part of Mims’ camp is the lack of mental mistakes.

Brown getting cleared to practice on Sunday gives him plenty of time to get ready for the season. Mims will compete with him for the starting spot at right tackle.

Jaxson Kirkland is an under-the-radar depth option who has impressed this summer. His ability at guard fills a position of need on the depth chart and could give him an edge over a player like Jackson Carman, who has made two glaring mistakes in practice, and D’Ante Smith, who’s injured.

Defensive line

First team: Trey Hendrickson, Sheldon Rankins, BJ Hill, Sam Hubbard

Second team: Myles Murphy, Kris Jenkins Jr., Zach Carter, McKinnley Jackson, Joseph Ossai

The Bengals have stacked their most depth on the defensive line, which has shown up as Hendrickson and Hubbard battle minor injuries. Sixth-round pick Cedric Johnson has the athletic tools the Bengals look for at edge rusher, and Domenique Davis and Travis Bell both could be upgrades over what the Bengals had as their depth at defensive tackle last season. They’re all battling for more opportunities.

Jenkins has impressed and looked even more versatile than the Bengals expected. He’s even more powerful than he looks and has the tools to become a real playmaker as a run defender.

Linebackers

First team: Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt

Second team: Akeem Davis-Gaither, Joe Bachie, Devin Harper

The Bengals’ top five linebackers are clear cut. The question is whether the new kickoff rule will impact whether the Bengals need a fifth linebacker, which is usually a special teams only role.

Cornerback

First team: Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, Mike Hilton

Second team: Dax Hill, Josh Newton, Jalen Davis, Allan George

The Bengals made a point last week to see Newton with the first-team defense. His competitiveness, physicality and well-rounded style led to him rising to the challenge.Whether Davis will remain the backup slot cornerback is an interesting dynamic. Newton learned the slot over the summer, but he has mostly played outside corner in training camp. Hill has played the slot before, but he’s also only running as an outside corner this summer. Safety Daijahn Anthony has a lot of college experience in the slot and could stick on the roster as a backup at multiple positions in the secondary.

Safety

First team: Geno Stone, Vonn Bell

Second team: Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony

It doesn’t look like a position battle between Bell and Battle as Bell steps right back into his old role in the Bengals’ defense.

The Bengals are still looking for their tight end stopper, which is a role that Hill and Tre Flowers filled over the last few years. Bell, Anthony and Newton could be contenders to fill that role on third downs.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals' depth chart through two weeks of training camp: Analyzing who is rising