Bengals rookie may've just gotten the news he's hoping for after key roster cut was made at his position

The first round of roster cuts have been made by the Cincinnati Bengals, and defensive tackle Taven Bryan was one of them.

Bryan, signed as a free agent right before the start of training camp, was in a competition to be the last DT to make the initial 53-man roster. His main competitor was rookie undrafted free agent Howard Cross III, who was playing alongside him during training camp and all three weeks of the preseason.

With Bryan now officially out of the picture, this puts Cross in the driver's seat to secure one of the last spots when the 53 has to be set for Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Howard Cross III is one step closer to making Bengals' roster

Cross is one of 13 UDFAs who competed in Cincinnati this offseason and emerged as the most likely to make it through final cuts. The position he plays has its two starters and first off the bench locked in, but behind B.J. Hill, T.J. Slaton, and Kris Jenkins Jr., there's much to be desired. McKinnley Jackson has been pushed this past month to prove his consistency, and the lack of depth is why Bryan was signed in the first place.

There have also been flashes here and there at practice and in games. Pro Football Focus credits him with three pressures on 65 pass-rushing attempts. He also caught a tipped interception in the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts, but fumbled it upon his return attempt.

Jackson is likely to stay on as the backup nose tackle behind Slaton, but Cross is more of a 3-technique pass-rushing specialist at just 6-1 and 288 pounds. His lack of size has gotten him into trouble against the run, but making the team would ensure he'll have a full year in an NFL weight room to add on weight and muscle.

There's also the chance that neither Bryan nor Cross made the team, and the Bengals are saving space to claim a DT off waivers. Cross has the profile of a player who would likely clear waivers and return to the practice squad. That he made it through the first wave of cuts signals the club would be interested in inviting him back. Don't forget, defensive coordinator Al Golden also coached him for the last three years at Notre Dame.

Whether or not Cross makes the cut, DT5 was one of the fiercest battles of Cincinnati's training camp and he outlasted his direct competitor for the title. We'll find out Tuesday if he officially won the job.