With the Bengals down to their last preseason tune-up against the Philadelphia Eagles, there are still a couple of roster questions hanging over the offense. The biggest ones remain at backup tackle and the third running back spot, and both jobs feel far from settled.
That’s why Corey Robinson II and Kentrel Bullock deserve a much bigger look before Cincinnati starts making hard decisions.
Robinson, an undrafted rookie free agent, should get a real shot at backup tackle
Cincinnati has spent the offseason searching for answers behind the starting offensive line, but the results have not exactly been encouraging. The latest attempt involved moving Cody Ford back to guard and sliding Jalen Rivers to tackle, and that look went badly on Saturday night.
Robinson is the kind of lineman the Bengals usually like: big, athletic, and already tested in a system where he helped protect fourth-round RB Mike Washington and pass-block for sixth-round quarterback Taylen Green.
He also belongs on a short list of tackles who did not allow a sack last year, which stands out even more because he did it at an SEC program. That’s no small thing.
In limited work against the Lions and Bears, Robinson looked comfortable at left tackle in front of Sean Clifford, handling both pass protection and run blocking even though those snaps came in the fourth quarter.
Still, with the backup tackle spot unresolved and no clear answer in sight, this final preseason game should be treated like an audition. Robinson ought to get his chance before the fourth quarter, not after it.
Bullock should get more than scraps at RB3
The top of the Bengals’ running back depth chart is set with Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. The fight is really about RB3, and that spot is still open.
Tahj Brooks has had enough time for the coaching staff to know what it has there, and the same goes for Gary Brightwell and Kendall Milton, who have not shown enough over two seasons to jump him.
Bullock, though, has barely had a real opportunity. The South Alabama undrafted rookie free agent has only appeared after the other backs have already taken their turns in the first two quarters of preseason games.
Against the Lions, he had one carry for six yards. Against the Bears, he finished with six carries for 10 yards as Cincinnati leaned on him to close out the game in the fourth quarter.
That’s not nearly enough to get a fair read.
If the Bengals are serious about figuring out who can help them, Bullock - along with Jamal Haynes - should get the bulk of the work against Philadelphia. He still has a steep climb to make the 53-man roster, but more snaps would at least give him a real chance to show what he can do.
With so few spots still up for grabs, the final preseason game should be about more than just getting through it. For Robinson and Bullock, it may be the last chance to make a case.
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