The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, making significant defensive upgrades and adding quality depth through a well-executed draft. With 71 players already under contract as the 2026 NFL Draft kicked off, the team selected seven players over the final two days after not having a first-round pick. Several undrafted free agents have also joined the organization, with official announcements expected ahead of rookie minicamp on Friday, May 8.
This influx of talent will push Cincinnati near the 90-man roster limit, giving the coaching staff plenty to work with during the offseason workout program, now entering Week 3. While the real evaluations won't heat up until August training camp, it's never too early to project how the pieces might fit together. Here's an early look at a 53-man roster projection, assuming all seven draft picks make the final cut.
Quarterback (2)
In: Joe Burrow, Joe Flacco
No surprises here. Re-signing Flacco was one of the best moves the Bengals made this offseason. Ideally, he's only seeing garbage minutes, but it's hard to imagine a better backup for Burrow. Flacco already knows the offense and can slide in seamlessly if needed.
Running Back (3)
In: Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, Tahj Brooks
Brown made himself even more indispensable last year with improved pass-catching and protection. Perine remains a reliable third-down option who can spell Brown, while Brooks showed flashes but didn't see enough snaps with Brown's productivity taking center stage.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Colbie Young*, Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones
Out: Ke'Shawn Williams, Kendric Pryor, Jordan Moore, Xavier Johnson, Dohnte Myers
The fourth-round selection of Young carries similar vibes to Jermaine Burton in 2024, but Young appears more reliable. He could compete with Iosivas for the WR3 spot, which remains an area that could always be improved. Jones is the big question mark here, having dealt with injuries over the last two seasons. While he has three career touchdowns on punt and kick returns, reliability concerns could open the door for Williams, who handled those duties in the final three games after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh.
Tight End (4)
In: Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, Jack Endries*
The Bengals could end up with five tight ends again if Erick All is healthy, but it's tough to project him on the 53-man roster at this point given how much time he's missed. After a really impressive start, his rookie season was halted by a second ACL tear in 2024, and further setbacks kept him out all of last year. Endries, meanwhile, is ready to prove he's better than a seventh-round pick.
Offensive Line (9)
In: Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Te... (content continues)