Katherine Terrell, ESPN Staff Writer 5y

No surprise cuts for Bengals' 53-man roster following Clint Boling's retirement

The Cincinnati Bengals open training camp July 27 with a special practice at Welcome Stadium in Dayton, Ohio. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:

QUARTERBACK (3): Andy Dalton, Jeff Driskel, Ryan Finley

The Bengals would probably like to make fourth-round pick Finley Dalton’s only backup, but based off OTAs, he certainly doesn’t look ready for that role yet. Driskel has a lot of experience now after filling in for an injured Dalton last year, so it’s likely he gets at least one more season while they develop Finley.

RUNNING BACK (3): Joe Mixon, Giovani Bernard, Trayveon Williams

While sixth-round pick Rodney Anderson said he hoped to be ready for training camp after suffering a torn ACL last year, that certainly isn’t a given. That paves the way for other sixth-rounder Williams to make the team this year.

WIDE RECEIVER (5): A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Alex Erickson, Josh Malone

The Bengals have kept six and even seven wideouts at times, so it’s possible the little-used Cody Core could make the team as a sixth receiver or a training camp standout (perhaps Hunter Sharp) could sneak in. Right now though, the only givens are the core five.

TIGHT END (4): C.J. Uzomah, Tyler Eifert, Drew Sample, Mason Schreck

Newcomer Sample joins Eifert and Schreck, both of whom were injured last season. Uzomah recently got an extension, so he's not going anywhere. It'll be another one-year deal for Eifert, who has been unable to stay healthy but was performing well until a broken ankle last September.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Cordy Glenn, Trey Hopkins, Christian Westerman, Billy Price, John Miller, Bobby Hart, Michael Jordan, Alex Redmond, Kent Perkins

Jonah Williams will head to IR after suffereing a torn labrum, and left guard Clint Boling is retiring. It was a toss-up if Redmond would make the team again after his replacement was signed in Miller, but with Boling out, Redmond stays on to compete for a spot. Keep an eye on undrafted college free agent O'Shea Dugas as wildcard pick here, as the Bengals are in need of tackles with Williams out.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10): Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Sam Hubbard, Carl Lawson, Kerry Wynn, Jordan Willis, Andrew Billings, Christian Ringo, Ryan Glasgow, Renell Wren

Lawson and Glasgow will return from ACL injuries while newcomers are free agent Wynn and fourth-round pick Wren. Defensive tackle Ringo showed some promise at the end of the season, so he could slide into a spot here, but don't count out Andrew Brown.

LINEBACKER (6): Germaine Pratt, Malik Jefferson, Jordan Evans, Nick Vigil, Preston Brown, Deshaun Davis

With Vontaze Burfict gone, the usual September shuffling won’t happen here, as Vigil, Brown and Pratt will be the likely starters. Longtime veteran Vincent Rey wasn’t re-signed, but Jefferson could see more playing time after being little used last year. Sixth-round pick Davis should have a great shot to make the team considering the issues at linebacker last year.

CORNERBACK (6): Dre Kirkpatrick, William Jackson, B.W. Webb, Darqueze Dennard, Devontae Harris, Darius Phillips

Four of these spots are already set between Kirkpatrick, Jackson, Webb and Dennard. Whether they keep five or six cornerbacks and who that might be is a question. Several players were rotated into the lineup last season due to injuries, but nobody really solidified his role. However, Phillips could have potential. For now, the projection is keeping both of last year's fifth-round picks in Phillips and Harris. who showed promise in the preseason before he was injured. They could be fighting for one spot though.

SAFETY (4): Jessie Bates, Clayton Fejedelem, Shawn Williams, Brandon Wilson

The Bengals have been content in the past to go with four safeties, although that could change under the new regime. For now, they'll stick with the same four that began the 2018 season. Fejedelem is a solid backup and special teams player, while Bates and Williams will be the starters.

SPECIALIST (3): Clark Harris, Kevin Huber, Randy Bullock

No surprises here, as all three have been around for quite some time. The Bengals recently gave Bullock an extension.

INJURED RESERVE (1): Jonah Williams

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