They not only kept six defensive tackles, but also a dozen defensive linemen. One of them, edge Cedric Johnson, joins Anthony on injured reserve-return, making him eligible to play in the fifth week of the season.
NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson and first-round pick Shemar Stewart lead a contingent of five defensive ends. Stewart has been running with the Ones as of late, but it’s unclear if he’ll become the Bengals’ first first-round draft pick to start on Opening Day since wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in 2021.
Two other rookies appear to have drawn an Opening Day start in South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr., a second-round pick, and Georgia left guard Dylan Fairchild, a third-rounder.
Fifth-rounder Jalen Rivers isn’t projected to start, but his emergence apparently allowed them to be flexible on the offensive line up to this point and keep just eight. He impressed them in the spring at tackle and then in the last two preseason games he held up at guard. He now teams with Cody Ford to give them guard-tackle flexibility on the bench.
Incumbent backup center Matt Lee retained the eighth spot despite missing much of camp with a shoulder issue. Tackle Devin Cochran, who had a start and other key snaps down the stretch last year, was a release, as was Seth McLaughlin, college football’s Rimington Award winner just coming around from a torn Achilles’.
While going light at offensive line, they went heavy one spot over at tight end, where Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy simply played their way on. Hudson caught two touchdown passes in the preseason opener and Grandy got solid grades consistently this preseason from Pro Football Focus in run and pass blocking.
Grandy and Jules were part of last season’s undrafted rookie class who began the year on the practice squad. Grandy got promoted in midseason while Jules stayed on the entire year after dominating FCS play at Southern Illinois.
With Anthony out for a month and no move made yet to bring in a safety, Jules won a job with his tenacious tackling and special teams play.
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