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          Cincinnati Bengals final 53-man roster projection for 2022 features a battle at wide receiver

          Rookie Kwamie Lassiter is pushing hard for a spot at wide receiver. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
          • Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterAug 28, 2022, 12:45 AM
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              Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN's NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
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          The Cincinnati Bengals open the 2022 regular against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium.

          The biggest battles for the defending AFC champs are at the back of the wide receivers group and in the secondary. Rookie wideout Kwamie Lassiter II has put pressure on veterans Trenton Irwin and Trent Taylor for a spot on the 53-man roster. Lassiter has also provided value in special teams, which could lead to a roster crunch.

          Rookie Cordell Volson and Jackson Carman have been locked in a battle for the starting left guard, a tussle that has provided the most intrigue throughout training camp.

          The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:

          QUARTERBACK (2): Joe Burrow, Brandon Allen

          Cincinnati opts to keep two quarterbacks on the roster. Allen has proved to be a trustworthy backup since he arrived. Jake Browning has played well enough to take a spot on the practice squad.