CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals report for 2022 NFL training camp on Tuesday. Here’s a closer look at a few storylines.
The most compelling position battle: Jackson Carman vs. Cordell Volson. Cincinnati doesn’t have a ton of high-profile position battles entering training camp, which is a testament to the roster construction over the last few offseasons. But Carman, a second-round selection in 2021, will be under the spotlight as he looks to fend off Volson, this year’s fourth-round draft pick. Carman couldn't secure a starting spot as a rookie despite having the inside track. Coaches have praised his on-field development this offseason, but head coach Zac Taylor said the battle will be open in training camp. It’s the only legitimate question mark on an offensive line that will feature three new starters in ’22.
The player with the most to prove: Jessie Bates III. Theoretically, Bates shouldn’t have to prove a thing given what he did in the postseason. He helped force a key turnover that led to Cincinnati’s win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship game and had an interception in Super Bowl LVI. But with Bates not getting a long-term deal, he can prove to the rest of the league that he is a premier starter who commands big money in the free market.
The biggest question: Can the Bengals find more offensive consistency? Cincinnati wanted to become a more explosive offense in ’21. The team succeeded and led the NFL in yards per passing attempt. However, there were significant lulls during games that featured stalled possessions. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow referenced fixing the issue when he spoke with reporters after the final offseason workout. Between Burrow, the team’s trio of starting wide receivers (Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd) and a beefed-up offensive line, Cincinnati has the resources to be one of the NFL’s best offenses. The pressure will be on the offense and Taylor calling the plays to be more efficient in ’22.
Training camp is a success if …: the Bengals find a reliable punt returner. Former cornerback Darius Phillips held this role until gaffes in 2021, specifically two lost muffed punts in a 26-23 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers, forced Cincinnati to look at other options. Wide receiver Trent Taylor, who was on the practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster out of training camp, proved to be a solid option toward the end of the season. Rookie wide receiver Kwamie Lassiter II could get some looks in training camp as special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons searches for the solution at a key spot.
Most impactful offseason addition: Alex Cappa. The easy choice is to pick the trio of starting offensive linemen acquired in free agency — center Ted Karras, right guard Cappa and right tackle La'el Collins. But Cappa deserves singular recognition. When the Bengals landed the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter, it signaled the franchise’s value on improving a unit that was widely ridiculed after Burrow was sacked 70 times last year. Of the three new additions on the line, Cappa was given the most guaranteed money ($11 million). If he can improve Cincinnati’s interior pass protection, the Bengals should become a more potent offense.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: Chris Evans vs. Samaje Perine. The Bengals had clearly defined roles for their running backs in ’21. Joe Mixon was used on most first and second downs, Perine on third downs and Evans in spot instances as needed. However, when it comes to finding yards in the passing game, Evans was the clear-cut option. Evans had an average route depth of 5.1 yards, by far the highest of any Bengals running back, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. If Perine can get a higher snap share, he could become a more viable streaming option for fantasy managers, especially those in PPR leagues. If Evans does get more passing targets, it will likely have a negative fantasy impact on Mixon and tight end Hayden Hurst. Hurst, a former first-round pick, will be looking to carve out a role in a passing offense with three established wide receivers.
Camp prediction: Kwamie Lassiter II keeps making noise. The undrafted free agent wide receiver out of Kansas was one of the top risers during offseason workouts. He eventually worked his way into the top rotation and earned some reps with the first-team offense. This is a welcomed development for a Bengals team that has limited production outside of the starting trio of Chase, Higgins and Boyd. If Lassiter continues on this trajectory, he will make a strong case to make the team’s 53-man roster.