5 quick Bengals final roster takeaways after preseason vs. Bears

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t roll out starters against the Chicago Bears during Saturday’s preseason game. 

In some cases, they didn’t even roll out immediate backups, like at quarterback, where Josh Johnson got the start. 

The Bengals had starters on the field for the joint practice with the Bears, so they used Saturday’s game as a way to evaluate the depth spots on the roster. 

And there were some big revelations, too. 

The breakout wideout just looks like he’s moving at a different speed than the rest of the players on the field when he’s out there. He had five grabs for 41 yards by halftime. He’s a good yards-after-catch weapon to have and should knock Charlie Jones off the roster. They gave him some work on special teams returns, too. 

The experiments at backup offensive line positions should be over. Jalen Rivers hasn’t lived up to some of that apparent upside after being picked and struggled badly on Saturday. Cody Ford, veteran or not, didn’t have a good showing. The Bengals have rookies Connor Lew and Brian Parker to reinforce the interior and names like Andrew Coker for tackle. 

The popular Bengals rookie had some flashes in the first half, including a batted pass. He’s done enough to really make them think about the last spot on the depth chart at the interior defensive line spot. He should be in over McKinnley Jackson. 

Josh Newton has enjoyed a really strong week or so, which seemed to turn around the narrative about his outlook. But…he then lost a rep on a 36-yard completion for the Bears in the first half. If it comes down to Newton vs. Ja’Sir Taylor and a few others, he might lose out. 

Tight end has been tough to get a read on this summer. But Tanner Hudson is a steady do-it-all veteran they can’t lose. He reinforced the idea again with a touchdown. He’ll likely join Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki and Erick All on the final roster. Maybe rookie Jack Endries or a Cam Grandy make it too, but not before Hudson.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: 5 quick Bengals final roster takeaways after preseason vs. Bears