Last updated 8/31/13
**If a player is in BOLD, you can click on that player for more season projections and more information about him**

QUARTERBACK
Andy Dalton
———Josh Johnson

*Skelton didn’t survive cuts leaving Johnson as the uncontested backup at the moment.

RUNNING BACK
BenJarvus Green-Ellis (GLB)
———Giovani Bernard (3DB)
———Rex Burkhead
———Cedric Peerman (foot)
———Bernard Scott (knee – PUP)

*All eyes are on what roles BJGE and Gio Bernard will have with the offense in the preseason. The Law Firm is still listed as the starter, but Bernard’s big play ability will make it hard to keep him on the sidelines.
*Bernard is the much better back in passing situations, so look for him to at least be in the game on third downs.
*A once promising prospect, the injured Scott is headed to PUP.
*Rookie Burkhead was given a four-year deal and has a sure role on special teams.

WIDE RECEIVER
LWR AJ Green
———Brandon Tate
———Dane Sanzenbacher
———Andrew Hawkins (ankle – doubtful for Week 1) (WR3)

RWR Mohamed Sanu
———Marvin Jones
———Ryan Whalen

*As long as AJ Green is on the field, he will dominate the passing game
*Hawkins looks like he’ll be out longer than just Week 1; if that’s the case, Marvin Jones steps into the #3 role
*Tate is likely on this team because of his value in the kick return game. He is a below-average wideout
*Sanu has been underperforming in practice, but he shouldn’t lose his starting job

TIGHT END
Jermaine Gresham
———Tyler Eifert
———Alex Smith

*The drafting of Eifert is a good indication as to the Bengals’ feelings on Gresham’s growth
*Gresham is still the starting tight end, however, but he is no longer a borderline TE1
*Eifert is being heavily targeted in practices, and he will get a lot of PT. The Bengals plan to use a lot of two tight end sets and line Eifert up at WR a bit, due to their lack of true talent there besides AJ Green.
*Alex Smith has made this roster as a blocking specialist.

KICKER
Mike Nugent

*Nugent’s job is likely safe, but he’s not a target on draft day anyway