Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
- AFC North
- Stadium
- Paycor Stadium
- Head Coach
- Zac Taylor
- Offensive Coordinator
- Dan Pitcher
- Defensive Coordinator
- Lou Anarumo
- Special Teams Coach
- Darrin Simmons
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan has a pre-draft visit scheduled with the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday. McMillan was a three-year starter in college and is projected to be a Day 2 selection in the upcoming NFL draft next week. The 22-year-old ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February and also has good size at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds. In his career with the Huskies, McMillan had 164 receptions for 2,143 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 38 games played. Even though Cincy still has Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins around, they are expected to take a receiver in this year's draft. They have three Day 3 picks, including two third-round picks at Nos. 80 and 97.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins remains without a new contract. He also hasn't been traded, something he recently requested. However, it appears there's still hope that the wideout plays at least one more season in Cincinnati, even if it's under a $21.8 million franchise tag. While speaking to Charlie Clifford of WXIX-TV, Higgins anticipates suiting up for the Bengals for the 2024-25 campaign. Not only that, he mentioned he's looking forward to it while expressing his fondness for the franchise and the city. With that said, Higgins is coming off a down year, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He also missed five games due to injury. But if anyone can bounce back for fantasy managers, it's the 2020 No. 33 overall pick, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) can stay healthy. Both sides have until mid-July to agree to a new contract.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) has been plagued by numerous injuries over the years. He suffered a season-ending knee injury as a rookie and was burdened by a calf strain early in the 2023-24 campaign. As a result, he struggled by throwing just two touchdowns in the first four games of the season. Unfortunately, despite turning things around, the signal-caller sustained a wrist injury in November and had another season end abruptly. But Burrow is adamant he's doing everything he can to stay on the field this season. "I'm confident I've put all the work in I need to make sure I'm healthy," said Burrow while speaking to Geoff Hobson of the team's official site. "I'm continuing year-to-year to better hone that and make that more efficient." The former LSU Tiger is anticipated to be cleared well before Week 1 but will continue to rehab in the immediate future. With that said, Burrow has the potential to be the top quarterback in the National Football League. Yet, his inability to stay healthy is something that will remain a significant concern for fantasy managers.
The Cincinnati Bengals' signing of Trent Brown this offseason diminishes their need to take an offensive lineman in the first round of this year's NFL draft, although it would still be tempting to go with either JC Latham or Olu Fashanu. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman thinks Cincy will go with Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the 18th overall pick in the first round later this month after losing D.J. Reader. T'Vondre Sweat has received more hype than Murphy from Texas, but opposing coaches say that Murphy gave them more headaches on game day. The 21-year-old has freaky athleticism and showed it at the scouting combine in February. "He was almost unblockable because he's so quick and twitchy and has balance like a big running back. He's been coached well. The guy is just really disruptive. He was much more of a problem (than T'Vondre Sweat)," one coach said.
According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Cincinnati hopes to keep wide receiver Tee Higgins on the roster. The wideout was franchise-tagged a few months ago but requested a trade. Although it was reported that the team would entertain phone calls, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn, speaking at league meetings, indicated that Higgins' contract is a "focus." The 25-year-old is coming off a down season, finishing the 2023-24 campaign with 656 yards and five touchdowns off 42 catches. But most concerning, he dealt with various ailments, limiting him to just 12 games. At any rate, Higgins has a chance to bounce back if he remains in Cincinnati, which appears the most likely scenario, considering there reportedly hasn't been much interest from other clubs. However, for the 2020 No. 33 overall pick to turn things around, Joe Burrow (wrist) must stay healthy. Higgins will need to figure out how to do the same.