The Cincinnati Bengals will count on big contributions from rookies and new additions to push for a return to the playoffs in 2025.
Heading into Week 1, though, the team’s first official depth chart suggests some first-round products might see smaller roles.
This is most apparent at defensive end, where Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai get the nod as starters on the team’s first publicly issued depth chart of the season for Week 1. It puts rookie Shemar Stewart and former first-rounder Myles Murphy in backup slots.
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Both Murphy and Stewart slotting as rotational guys to start Week 1 isn’t what fans wanted to see, even if these depth charts are archaic, a formality and don’t tell the whole story.
The reality? Stewart will kick inside and see some solid overall snaps and so should Murphy. But as a whole, the Bengals need more from high-round draft selections, sooner, especially on a side of the ball that held the team back and has undergone major coaching changes this offseason.
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