Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Training Camp Preview

Cincinnati Bengals 2024 Training Camp Preview

Here’s to hoping that the Cincinnati Bengals did enough this off-season to keep their franchise Quarterback Joe Burrow upright in 2024. Last season, he went down with a wrist injury around Thanksgiving that he originally suffered in Week 11. With a fully healthy Burrow and a strong supporting cast, can this team make a push for the postseason? We answer that question and much more in the Bengals training camp preview!

Three Position Battles To Watch

Running Back: Zack Moss, Chase Brown

The Bengals signed Zach Moss to a two-year deal back in March, and many people expect him to be the starter after his work in relief of an injured Jonathan Taylor last season. However, I have real concerns that Moss can be the bell cow over a full season, especially behind an offensive line that is noticeably worse than what he left before. It’s worth noting that Chase Brown didn’t exactly set the world on fire last season in relief of Joe Mixon. This feels like a mid-to-high ceiling but very low-floor position for the Bengals entering training camp.

Tackle: Trent Brown, Orlando Brown, Amarius Mims

I don’t know if you know this or not, but you can only start two tackles at one time. Cincinnati signed Orlando Brown back in 2023, Trent Brown this off-season and selected Amarius Mims in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They’ve spent a lot of money at the tackle position and can only play two at a time. Mims is raw but the ceiling is absurdly high. Low floor, very high-ceiling kind of player. Both Brown’s are established in the NFL and won’t make it easy for the rookie.

Wide Receiver 3: Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas

The Bengals have a youth movement going on at the Wide Receiver position, especially behind the top two guys Ja’Maar Chase and Tee Higgins. All three of Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, and Andrei Iosivas were drafted within the last two years. Jones has been on my radar since September 2022 and I got to watch him at the Senior Bowl, which is where I built most of his draft profile from. Iosivas had his flashes last season but feels lower on the totem pole. It appears there is real interest in Burton, who they selected No. 80 overall (see profile here). With Higgins potentially moving at the deadline, we could see two of these three guys play meaningful snaps come late fall.

Rookie To Watch: Kris Jenkins

Trey spoke very highly of Kris Jenkins in his draft profile, giving him an early first to second-round grade. He would fall in the range he predicted, going 49th overall. There’s a realistic path to Jenkins having a prominent role on this team early, as he sits behind an aging B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins, who has had durability issues in his career. Jenkins has tremendous upside as a pass rusher but excels in stopping the run, which will be vital in the AFC North this year.

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Fantasy Sleeper: Whoever Wins The WR3 Job

Is this a cop-out? Maybe. But I believe whoever wins the WR3 job in the Bengals training camp will be a huge sleeper this season. I alluded to it earlier, but I think Cincinnati and another team will get a deal done around the deadline for Higgins, elevating this player to a fringe WR2 spot in a high-octane offense. If I had to bet, it will be Burton, but I believe Jones is the better player and makes more of an impact, especially in the return game.

Ready To Breakout: Tee Higgins

At some point, we are going to get a monster year from Tee Higgins. He’s way too talented not to have a breakout season. He was tagged in February, requested a trade in March, and will play this season on the tag. The main concern with Higgins is staying healthy. He missed five games last season, but hopefully, that was just a one-time bug and not a sign of something more. If Burrow can stay healthy, the OL keeps him upright, and he himself stays on the field, there’s the possibility of a monster season. I know that’s a lot to ask.

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