Saturday night’s 27-9 preseason win over the Chicago Bears gave the Cincinnati Bengals a chance to see more from their rookie class, even with second-round pick Cashius Howell sitting out.
One of the clearest standouts was Tacario Davis, the Bengals’ third-round choice at No. 72 overall. At 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds with 4.4-speed in the 40, Davis brings the kind of size and athletic profile that jumps off the page for an outside corner.
His coverage movement can still be a little uneven at times, but the physical traits are obvious, and he made that presence felt against the run on Saturday. Davis piled up 7 tackles, including several stops near or behind the line of scrimmage, and looked like a defender willing to meet the moment with force.
Landon Robinson kept stacking good moments, too. Against Chicago, he logged 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a pass defensed at the line, continuing a preseason that has turned heads.
Built like “a fire hydrant,” Robinson plays with the strength to hold his ground, but his real edge comes when he’s attacking the quarterback. His burst, effort and leverage make him tough to deal with, and it’s hard to look at what he’s done and not see a player pushing hard for a roster spot.
The case for Robinson only gets stronger when you consider the broader package. He could help as a rotational pass rusher, contribute on special teams and even serve as a fullback option at the goal line. The sense here is simple: he’s done everything asked of him, and as a Naval Academy graduate, he’s not going to be outworked.
Jack Dingle also made his presence known. Though he wasn’t drafted, the Bengals moved quickly to sign him as an undrafted free agent.
He hadn’t drawn much attention earlier in camp, but he showed up with some plays against the Bears. The former Cincinnati Bearcat is trying to carve out a place on the practice squad, and if he can stick, there’s a path for him to develop into a rotational piece and special teams contributor down the road.
In Other News...
Bengals Have Two Last-Chance Sleepers Fighting For Offensive Roster Spots
With one preseason game left against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bengals still have a couple of offensive jobs hanging in the balance. The biggest decisions remain at backup offensive tackle and third running back, and this final tune-up is expected to give the coaching staff one more long look at the players fighting to stick. Undrafted rookie Corey Robinson II has put himself in the mix for the tackle opening, while Kentrel Bullock remains in the hunt at running back.
Both players are the kind of late-summer depth pieces who can make a roster by handling the unglamorous work well enough to earn trust. For Cincinnati, the question now is less about upside than readiness, since these final reps are the last chance to sort out who can actually help if injuries hit once the games start to count. The Eagles matchup should give the staff a clearer picture, but there is still enough uncertainty that these two spots could come down to the wire. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Have A Running Back Problem This Trade Could Solve
A training camp rep offered a sharp reminder of how fragile the Bengals running back room can look when the pads come on. Samaje Perine absorbed a notable hit from Dexter Lawrence, and it came against the backdrop of a depth chart that still invites questions as the team sorts through the contract situations around Perine and Chase Brown.
Isaac Guerendo has emerged as one name that fits the Bengals search for help, even if his current status complicates the picture. The 49ers back is working back from injury and is on the PUP list, but his skill set has drawn comparison to past Cincinnati additions, and the fit with the Bengals offensive scheme is easy to see if the front office decides to get aggressive. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Could Address A Sneaky Need With A Risky Young Back
The waiver wire has put Trey Benson in a complicated spot, and that could make him worth a long look for a Bengals team that does not exactly have a glaring opening at running back. Arizona waived the former third-round pick with an injury designation, so if he clears waivers he would revert to the Cardinals injured reserve. Even with Cincinnatis backfield looking crowded, Bensons blend of talent and upside is the kind of profile clubs keep an eye on when a young player becomes available.
For the Bengals, the question is less about immediate need than fit and patience. Benson has flashed productivity when healthy, but the knee injury hanging over him only adds to a durability track record that has already raised concerns. Still, if Cincinnati believes the payoff could be worth the risk, this is the sort of low-cost bet front offices sometimes make on a back who was valued highly just a year ago. [Read more 🡒]