Bengals 90-man Depth Chart Projection: Battles on both sides of the ball are on the horizon for training camp

Wide receiver (12)

Starters: Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas
Reserves: Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Williams, Cole Burgess, Kendric Pryor, Mitchell Tinsley, Jordan Moore**, Jamoi Mayes**, Rashod Owens**

The skinny: So much is unknown behind the established starting three. Is Jones finally going to stay healthy? Is Burton going to be accountable? Williams is intriguing as a returner and slot option. 

Tight end (7)

Starter(s): Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki
Reserves: Cam Grandy, Tanner Hudson, Tanner McLachlan, Kole Taylor**, Erick All Jr.

The skinny: Gesicki got a nice pay day in March, but Sample is still technically the No. 1 tight end on the roster since he plays the actually position the most. You'll continue to see together on the field regardless. Hudson vs. McLachlan will be a fun battle in August. All, who won't play again until 2026, is last only because he's destined for an injury designation. 

Offensive line (16)

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

The skinny: Ford's placement is tricky. There's a lot of confidence in Fairchild starting immediately at left guard, which is where Ford would most likely start himself. If not, does Ford represent a better option at right guard than the lone external free agent they signed? Patrick has played RG more recently and should have a leg up on everyone else in the building due to that fact. Lee and Rivers are roster locks while Volson and Kirkland will compete to round out the group if neither can win a starting gig. 

Defensive line (15)

Starters: Trey Hendrickson (DE), B.J. Hill (DT), T.J. Slaton (NT), Myles Murphy (DE)
Reserves: Joseph Ossai, Shemar Stewart*, Kris Jenkins Jr., McKinnley Jackson, Cam Sample, Cedric Johnson, Isaiah Thomas, Raymond Johnson III, Howard Cross III**, Eric Gregory**, Dante Barnett**

The skinny: Murphy, Ossai, or Stewart could start Week 1 and any of them would make sense. There's an emphasis for Murphy to play more and as a former first-round pick, he's penciled in for now. The rest is chalk for now with Jenkins and Jackson locks and everyone else battling for one, two, or maybe three spots.

Linebacker (9)

Starters: Logan Wilson, Demetrius Knight Jr.*
Reserves: Oren Burks, Barrett Carter*, Maema Njongmeta, Shaka Heyward, Craig Young, Joe Giles-Harris, Germaine Pratt

The skinny: Knight is very clearly Pratt's replacement so into the starting 11 he goes. Pratt is still on the roster but he's the most likely to be released prior to OTAs starting up so we're going to awkwardly act like he's already gone. Burks and Carter will see snaps in 4-3 looks but will mostly come off the bench. One of Njongmeta or Heyward should make the team, but both may be a stretch after Knight and Carter were drafted so early.

Cornerback (11)

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

The skinny: Very few Bengals have more to gain this offseason than Taylor-Britt. The former second-round pick enters a contract year after a season in which he was benched multiple times. If Hill and Turner are healthy after suffering season-ending injuries, they deserve to start over Taylor-Britt for now while Newton builds off his rookie season as the new starting nickelback. If that role actually belongs to Hill, then Taylor-Britt may actually get the nod on the outside. 

Safety (7)

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

The skinny: There was a good chance Stone was going to be in Pratt's shoes right now. By ignoring the safety position, all eyes will be on the 26-year old entering another contract year with Anderson looking directly over his shoulder in a contract year himself. Battle must feel liberated with Vonn Bell out the door.

Specialists (4)

Starters: Evan McPherson (K), Ryan Rehkow (P), Cal Adomitis (LS)
Reserves: William Wagner

The skinny: The only change that could happen is Wagner taking Adomitis' job.

Final Word

It's a depth chart projection in April. There are more serious things in the world at the moment.

Nevertheless, training camp battles at RB, TE, OL, DL, and CB will be intriguing to watch unfold.