Offensive line forecast, pass rush outlook, and other answers to Bengals questions following the NFL Draft

After five months of prognosticating how the Cincinnati Bengals' roster can and should look, we're a week away from rookies reporting to minicamp. The offseason is making its transition out of what could be, to what's right in front of us. 

Players finally getting on the field is cool and all, but several questions remain. The dust is far from settling from the impact of 10 draft picks that followed six major free agent acquisitions. 

You had questions, and I had what I hope are answers. Let's go through them together.

"How can they construct the roster if they want all rookies to be on the 53 man ([Erick] All not going on PUP)? Is it even possible? Where do they need to sacrifice etc?" - @ACWHEELS10

My initial projection had eight draftees making the initial cut, and that was with Erick All on the active roster. The lone two that didn't make it were sixth-round pick Cedric Johnson and seventh-round pick Daijahn Anthony.

How do those two make it? For starters, Johnson beats out one of Cam Sample or Joseph Ossai, or the Bengals go with six edges. Six edges likely means only four interior guys, which would mean bye-bye Zach Carter. Five and five feels more likely, so Sample or Ossai has to bite the dust. It's not as if they're established starters entering their fourth years or anything. One of them being outshined in August wouldn't be shocking.

As with Anthony, I suppose it's a matter of how they view him. I think he's a box safety who can occasionally play in the slot. They have plenty already who play either spot. Maybe he'd knock off Jalen Davis. I think the four safeties above him are safe, specifically because Tycen Anderson is their only true backup free safety behind Geno Stone.

Going 11 in the defensive backfield and light at linebacker could ultimately be the move.

"Sort the OL room out." - @Andrew_Russell7

Simple.

The Week 1 starting lineup of Orlando Brown Jr. (LT), Cordell Voslon (LG), Ted Karras (C), Alex Cappa (RG) and Trent Brown (RT) will be backed by swing tackle and first-round pick Amarius Mims, swing guard/tackle Cody Ford, and swing interior Matt Lee. Those are the eight who get to wear jerseys.

The real question will be how many are inactive. Having 10 rostered offensive linemen when really only eight, maybe nine max are worthy of roster spots feels unnecessary. Getting down to nine just means one extra is going to the practice squad. No team is desperate enough to claim Cincinnati's o-line scraps off of waivers. I'd say Jackson Carman and Trey Hill will be battling for that ninth and likely final spot. 

Unless the likes of Jaxson Kirkland or Eric Miller have something to say about that.

"Why do the Bengals care so little about Guard as a position?" - @Jrobidy

I think it's a matter of valuing some positions highly and the rest get left out. Premium contracts, draft capital, etc. Guard just isn't invited in the club yet, which is concerning considering how expensive the position is getting.

You also might as well throw in center here. It's not like a seventh-round selection equated to a high priority for depth there.

Leading up to the draft, I didn't really buy the idea of them drafting a guard early to compete with Volson. Maybe if the value was right (screams Christian Mahogany) but not a premeditated plan. They've invested two years into Volson and still believe his best football is ahead of him. Alex Cappa is locked in for two more years as well, and Cody Ford is capable to play emergency snaps at either spot. 

Next year is when a true mid-round pick could enter the picture. That's about the equivalent of signing a Cappa-esque player in free agency.

"Has the inside pass rush (iDL) improved or stayed the same since free agency?" - @bengals_hester

If we're counting Rankins, then the answer is obviously yes. If the question was more since after signing him, then it's a matter of projection and, partially, hope. 

Jenkins is the biggest pass-rushing addition from the draft, and it wasn't even his calling card from college. The biggest mystery with him revolves around how much more effective will he be in this regard with greater opportunity. Was he specifically asked to hold his gap(s) and not attack upfield at Michigan because that was his overwhelmingly best strength, or was it because they didn't trust him to accumulate backfield production?

Only time will tell, but considering he's a much better overall player already than Carter or Jay Tufele, the needle still points to yes. McKinnley Jackson having some juice to his game certainly doesn't hurt. 

"With all the new offensive pieces available, what are a few 11 & 12 personnel packages you could see being at their disposal this year that we haven’t had in recent years?" - @hackett_kevin

The most exciting involves Ja'Marr Chase in the slot with a true vertical threat like Jermaine Burton on the outside. Higgins can high-point a deep pass, but the addition of Burton will forces defenses to stay back on his side, which can have a domino effect towards Chase vacating newfound space over the middle. Chase splitting a Cover 2 look down the middle with the threat of Burton on the boundary is also a new possibility. 

Once All is fully ready to go, he should be inserted in 12 personnel packages as the Y tight end with Mike Gesicki in the slot. Two dynamic (and reliable) tight ends is something the Bengals haven't had in a long time. All adds another threat for defenses to worry about while Gesicki should have a mismatch in the slot with Higgins and Chase out wide. Plenty of possibilities.

Throwing traditional 12 personnel with All and Drew Sample attached to the line will also be critical to keep defenses honest and accounting for added gaps. Deploying under center downhill runs and play action off these looks just adds more layers of preparation for this offense. All and Sample are both quality blockers, and at least the former can run downfield in the passing game. That should be enough. 

Honestly, the more effective 12 personnel looks they deploy, the better the offense will be.

"Who will be the surprise cut this year?" - @sacyhac

As mentioned at the top, Ossai and Sample shouldn't feel safe. They're each entering contract years, and they're niche rotational players. They have value with their specific roles, but they're expendable until they prove otherwise. Johnson's draft status may keep him down, but he's mighty explosive with time to grow at just 21 years old. He should have a decent chance to push one out of the picture.

Outside of those two, Tanner Hudson or Trenton Irwin shouldn't be viewed as locks, either. Hudson will have Tanner McLachlan and his four-year contract looking over his shoulder. Irwin has more trust within the system, but still has the least amount of job security among the six wideouts likely to be on the team. 

"Could we still see a veteran free agent signing or even a trade prior to training camp?" - @FanaticCincy

Prior to camp may be pushing it. They'll see what they have throughout the offseason and be ready for anything after the final preseason game. Watch out for waiver activity at defensive tackle and running back.

"Who's the backup long snapper now that [Mitchell] Wilcox is gone? Any drafted or signed UDFA player have that skill set?" - @flamcheesy

What could Clark Harris possibly be doing that's so important?

Oh, you meant like in game? Beats me. Nate Boyer learned it while serving overseas. Surely reported undrafted free agent signing Cam Grandy can start training if he hasn't already.

"Choose the best/most pure jersey numbers for the following positions: QB, RB, WR, EDGE, CB." - @_TaylorCornell

The No. 12 jersey is essentially No. 10 in soccer, no? That seems obvious for quarterbacks. Reverse it and you have arguably my favorite football number ever. 21 would be my pick for both running backs and cornerbacks/defensive backs. My kids will know who LaDainian Tomlinson and Bob Sanders were. 

I don't have a single answer for wideouts. My favorite number is 8 so I want a special receiver to put on that jersey and dominate like A.J. Green did at Georgia. Something about Ja'Marr Chase in a No. 1 jersey that feels sublime, though. 

90 for edges is pretty much perfect, and a nice 52, 55, or 58 isn't too far behind.

"How much does this Cincinnati draft give you the warm & fuzzies? Or might you be feeling meh or want to head scratch instead?" - @MrEd315

I don't know how anyone can watch Amarius Mims tape and not feel like the lyrics of Colbie Caillat's Bubbly. That guy plays offensive tackle extremely well, and he now plays for the Bengals! 

They drafted two defensive tackles who are already better than Carter, even if one was drafted a round or two early. Two useful tight ends and an athletically competent center are in the fold with clear roles for the future, as is a well-rounded receiver ready for 80 targets immediately.

Not all of those guys will hit, but I can't say any of them are bad at football or will be playing out of position. That's always a positive. If Jackson is the only head-scratcher because of when he was picked, so be it. He can contribute. 

A few of the Day 3 picks won't end up mattering, of course, but that's drafting with 10 picks.