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A breakdown of the Cincinnati Bengals 2018 draft class and its progress after three weeks of training camp: Billy Price, C, first round: Price was ready to go for camp after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle at the NFL combine. Although he had a rough first week with several botched snap exchanges, he has settled into his role and will be the team's starting center on Day 1.  Jessie Bates, S, second round: Bates has gotten time with the first team in the last week and impressed the coaches enough that they decided to part ways with veteran safety George Iloka. He probably will be the starting free safety when the regular season begins.
Sam Hubbard, DE, third round: Hubbard figures to be an immediate part of the defensive line rotation and impressed in the Bengals' second preseason game when he got his first sack. He's a backup for now, and he has a lot of competition with other young players such as Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis on the roster. However, the Bengals will find a way to have him contribute. Malik Jefferson, LB, third round: Jefferson hasn't shown much in camp so far, but barring injuries, he has time to learn. He's not expected to contend for a starting position and is listed third on the depth chart at weakside linebacker behind Vontaze Burfict and Jordan Evans. Mark Walton, RB, fourth round: Walton is battling Tra Carson for the third running back spot behind Giovani Bernard and Joe Mixon and also plays on special teams. Although he's had some nice plays in practice, that hasn't shown up in a game situation yet. He rushed three times for minus-9 yards against the Cowboys. Davontae Harris, CB, fifth round: Harris was the team's leading tackler in the first preseason game, but he injured his knee on special teams in the second preseason game and left after playing only one snap. Andrew Brown, DE/DT, fifth round: Brown has missed most of camp with an injury and has not played in the preseason yet. Darius Phillips, CB, fifth round: Although Phillips flashed big-play potential as a returner in college, he has been sporadic in camp in both the return game and in coverage. Phillips had a nice game against the Cowboys as a returner though, returning two kickoffs for 72 yards and a punt for 24 yards. Logan Woodside, QB, seventh round: Woodside is the team's fourth quarterback and hasn't gotten many reps to show for it. He's a practice squad candidate and isn't in contention for Dalton's backup. Rod Taylor, G, seventh round: Taylor tore his ACL shortly into the first practice of training camp and is done for the season. He will return next season. Auden Tate, WR, seventh round: Tate certainly started at the bottom of the depth chart, but after the release of Brandon LaFell he started to climb his way up. The big-bodied receiver impressed with a nice drive and touchdown catch at the end of the first preseason game and he's making it hard to keep him off the roster.
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