Bengals 53-man Roster Projection: Training camp kicks off multiple starting battles in every corner of the team

Tight end (4)

IN: Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Cam Grandy, Tanner McLachlan
OUT: Tanner Hudson, Kole Taylor**
INJURY LIST: Erick All Jr. (PUP)

The skinny: Going six true wideouts means sticking with four tight ends, though the true number is three since Gesicki is just a big slot receiver. The two Tanners have been on a crash course all offseason for the fourth spot. Maybe both make it anyways.

Offensive line (9)

IN: Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Dylan Fairchild* (LG), Ted Karras (C), Lucas Patrick (RG), Amarius Mims (RT), Cody Ford, Jalen Rivers*, Matt Lee, Jaxson Kirkland
OUT: Cordell Volson, Devin Cochran, Andrew Coker, Andrew Stueber, Andrew Ryam, Seth McLaughlin** (NFI), Caleb Etienne**

The skinny: The table is set for both guard spots. Volson and Kirkland will compete to be Fairchild's backup at left guard while Patrick and Ford battle to start at right guard. All four of them making the roster would be unlikely, and Kirkland's guard-tackle versatility should come in handy.

Defensive line (10)

IN: Trey Hendrickson (DE), B.J. Hill (DT), T.J. Slaton (NT), Joseph Ossai (DE), Myles Murphy, Cam Sample, Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, Shemar Stewart*, Cedric Johnson
OUT: Taven Bryan, McTelvin Agim, Isaiah Thomas, Raymond Johnson III, Howard Cross III**, Eric Gregory**

The skinny: Bryan and Agim are interesting camp bodies who may splash in the preseason, but their roster chances depend on the health of the four defensive tackles already set for the roster. I don't think five DTs can fit with six defensive ends likely to also make it. That group needs depth with Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart still away from the team for now. Ossai vs. Murphy will be another starting battle to watch as well, and both will get starting reps with Hendrickson out of the state. 

Linebacker (5)

IN: Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr.*, Oren Burks, Barrett Carter*, Maema Njongmeta
OUT: Shaka Heyward, Craig Young, Joe Giles-Harris

The skinny: Njongmeta vs. Heyward was a fun battle last year and we'll see something similar this time around as well. This is new defensive coordinator Al Golden's position, so his preferences matter. 

Cornerback (6)

IN: Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, Josh Newton, DJ Turner II, DJ Ivey, Marco Wilson
OUT: Jalen Davis, Micah Abrahan, Nate Brooks, Lance Robinson, Bralyn Lux**

The skinny: Hill is healthy for the start of camp and may be the only CB locked in for a starting gig. Taylor-Britt, Newton, and Turner will all compete for the other two spots while Wilson will try and fend off Davis and others for the sixth roster spot.

Safety (4)

IN: Geno Stone, Jordan Battle, Tycen Anderson, Daijahn Anthony
OUT: PJ Jules, Jaylen Key, Shaquan Loyal**

The skinny: Will Anthony round out the group or will another supplant him? That's about the only question here. The top three are set in stone, no pun intended. 

Specialists (3)

IN: Evan McPherson (K), Ryan Rehkow (P), Cal Adomitis (LS)
OUT: William Wagner**

The skinny: Adomitis vs. Wagner for the long snapper job is one of the true 50-50 roster battles this year. Winner stays, loser to the practice squad or gone completely. Snap away.