The Bengals roster is virtually set as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season.

Some chatter on X.com suggests this is the deepest roster the Bengals have ever had.

Well, if WR Ja’Marr Chase is playing from the start, I might go with that. But Chase has been attending practices only, rarely taking part, this preseason as he hopes to get a new contract. With two years remaining on his rookie deal, Chase is unlikely to get a new deal.

Hopefully he realizes that, will play in 2024 and then set the new standard for wide receivers next offseason.

Honestly I am concerned that Chase and his issue will linger, whether it is really sitting out or playing and getting hurt because he has not been practicing.

One of the reasons I am concerned is head coach Zac Taylor put on the hardest camp in his coaching history, at least according to lineman Ted Karras, and Chase missing that is going to hurt him. Am I suggesting not getting Chase? Absolutely not, but I am a risk adverse and just believe training camp is there for a reason and missing it will have lingering effects.

Here is a position by position look at where the Bengals stand:

Quarterback: QB Joe Burrow and QB Jake Browning are the only two on the roster for now. Burrow appears stronger and healthier than he’s ever been and the hope is his biggest season yet. Browning was a capable backup last season but if this teams is Super Bowl or Bust it’s because of Burrow who seems poised for a Top 3 quarterback season despite limited rushing upside. Time will tell.

Running Back: The Bengals had just two runners on the roster after the practice squad was announced. RB Zack Moss and RB Chase Brown will share time this season and just how that split works is still anybody’s guess. It could change from game to game or series to series, there’s really no way of telling how this will work out until we see games played. I think both can be used as viable fantasy producers but neither may be a top 12 runner. Both may be 15-20 producers and both may be worth playing each week.

Wide Receiver: WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins are as good a 1-2 punch as any team in the NFL has at this position. The possibilities with WR Andrei Iosivas and WR Jermaine Burton make this a really good group as the season rolls on and they get experience. WR Trenton Irwin and WR Charlie Jones give the Bengals a strong top six. Going forward, Higgins is likely to be gone after this year which means Iosivas or Burton takes that No. 2 role. For now, Iosivas is the guy to go with but Burton is the long play.

Tight End: TE Mike Gesicki along with TE Drew Sample and TE Tanner Hudson are a solid veteran group. Add rookie TE Erick All and TE Tanner McLachlan to the mix and this could be a really good position. Keeping five tight ends is a little unusual, even if the plan is to use more two tight end sets. Gesicki really picked things up late in camp and is being utilized as a weapon more than a true in-line tight end. If he’s ever going to have that monster season, this could be it. Worthy a late flier for sure. The question remains, though, if Gesicki is being used out wide, how does that alter the wide receiver usage? Not sure yet. Can’t really tell from preseason games or practices but it is worth keeping an eye on.

Kicker: PK Evan McPherson is a strong kicker and would be worth being the first kicker off your board or in your waivers.

As for the rest of the team, the defense and special teams is generally better as a unit than individually. Defenders I would take a chance on are LB Logan Wilson, LB Germaine Pratt, DE Trey Hendrickson (sack heavy IDP formats), DB Dax Hill and DB Cam Taylor-Britt.

If your league is incorporating the return yardage into your scoring, then that may push RB Chase Brown up a bit if he is the kick returner. WR Charlie Jones might get a catch or two but if he is the punt or kick returner, he would then be a little more relevant. Watch this situation.

End.