A Team Of Former Bengals From Training Camp
With Week 1 of preseason taking place in just a few days, it is a good time to look around the NFL and see how former Bengals players are faring.
The Jaguars and Raiders kicked off the 2022 NFL preseason last Thursday with the Hall of Fame game, and even if the level of play wasn’t great, football is back! With their first game against the Cardinals taking place in just a few days, it is a good time to look around the NFL and see what former Bengals are around in training camp.
We only looked at players that played at least one snap for the Bengals during their stint in Cincinnati, so we ruled out guys that were only on their practice squad.
Quarterback
Andy Dalton, New Orleans Saints (with Bengals from 2011 to 2019)
This one is very easy. The Red Rifle is now backing up Jameis Winston as one of the best second-string quarterbacks in the NFL. After starting in Cincy for almost a decade, the former second-round pick has turned into a one-year insurance policy at the position, with the Saints being his third team in three seasons. He ended up starting in both Dallas and Chicago… and Winston left practice on Monday with an injury…
Running back
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013-20)
His signing with the Bucs was lauded as one of the most underrated moves last offseason. Most experts thought he would reprise James White‘s role in Tom Brady‘s offense in Tampa, but he failed to make any impact throughout the season, and now at age 30, one must wonder how much left in the tank he has. Gio is not a lock to make the roster out of camp.
Wide receivers
A.J. Green, Arizona Cardinals (2011-20)
One of the best players in Bengals history, Green had a bounce-back campaign in 2021 and replaced DeAndre Hopkins as Arizona’s go-to guy when their leading receiver went down. He can still play, even at age 34, and will be important for the Cards as they navigate the first six weeks of the season without Hopkins.
Marvin Jones Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (2012-15)
The former Lion went to Jacksonville to provide veteran leadership and be a reference for their rookie franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. He ended up having as lackluster of a season as the rest of the team under head coach Urban Meyer. Looking for redemption in 2022.
Auden Tate, Atlanta Falcons (2018-21)
It is now or never for the former seventh-round pick. Atlanta has very little talent at the position other than rookie Drake London after losing Calvin Ridley again, suspended this time. He won’t have a better chance to prove his worth.
Tight end
C.J. Uzomah, New York Jets (2015-21)
Left for greener pastures after a breakout season with career highs in yards and touchdowns for the Bengals. The Jets also signed Tyler Conklin this offseason. Uzomah is a solid all-around player for a team that needed talent at every position but whose quarterback struggled mightily during his first year in the league.
Offensive line
Cedric Ogbuehi, Houston Texans (2015-18)
One of the biggest draft busts in recent history for the Bengals. If it wasn’t for his draft pedigree, he might not be getting more opportunities in the NFL.
Michael Jordan, Carolina Panthers (2019-20)
Thrown into the wolves right away because of the ill state of the line in Cincy, he wasn’t very good for Carolina last year, and their unit was one of the worst in the entire league. He might not survive training camp in Charlotte.
Fred Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-21)
With Trey Hopkins, Billy Price, Russell Bodine, Christian Westermann, etc., all unsigned or out of football at the moment, the former UDFA gets the nod here. Not sure if he can stick around in Tampa, but he’s a passable third-string tackle.
Kevin Zeitler, Baltimore Ravens (2012-16)
The last man standing from one of the best offensive lines of the decade. He’s still playing at a very high level, even for the rival Ravens. He’s proved to be a bargain for them after stalling a bit for the Giants in his previous stop.
Bobby Hart, Buffalo Bills (2018-20)
If Hart has to play much at all for Buffalo, they won’t be in a good spot. He’s been a disaster every time he’s stepped on the field.
Defensive line
Carlos Dunlap, Kansas City Chiefs (2010-20)
After playing well for the Seahawks last year, the Bengals career-leader in sacks with 82.5 is now hunting for a ring. He’s still a very good player when motivated.
Andrew Billings, Las Vegas Raiders (2017-19)
Drafted to play 1-technique alongside Geno Atkins, the plan never came into fruition, but he was waived by the Browns last November, and he isn’t a lock to make the Raiders roster.
Christian Covington, Los Angeles Chargers (2020)
If you forgot that the Canadian native played for the Bengals in the Covid year, you’re forgiven, but he’s actually had a decent career thus far in the NFL.
Jordan Willis, San Francisco 49ers (2017-18)
Had the best season of his career after joining the defensive lineman factory in the Bay. A very good role player may be miscast as a starter because he was drafted early in the third round; Willis has found his place as a rotational 4-3 end with the 49ers.
Linebackers
Nick Vigil, Arizona Cardinals (2016-19)
He never reached his ceiling in Cincinnati, or at least the expectations fans had for him after so many disappointments at the position. He was OK for the Vikings last season but hasn’t settled in one place after leaving the Bengals.
Josh Bynes, Baltimore Ravens (2020)
Back now in Maryland for the third time in his career, Bynes was the last veteran to join the Bengals linebacker corps as a one-season patch and was arguably the best one they had. He’s still playing well at age 32.
Cornerbacks
William Jackson III, Washington Commanders (2016-20)
It is fair to say that the former first-round draft pick was a mixed bag for the Commanders in his first season in the capital. He wasn’t the only underachiever for a defense that was expected to dominate in 2021, but they expected way more from him, that’s for sure.
Darius Phillips, Las Vegas Raiders (2018-21)
More of a special teamer during his time in Paul Brown Stadium; he had an extremely productive and outlier 2019 season with four interceptions in the latter part of the year but faded away when given a bigger role in 2020.
Darqueze Dennard, San Francisco 49ers (2014-19)
This is probably his last chance to stick around after injuries ruined his move to Atlanta and put him on the wrong track last year. He was with four different organizations in 2021, playing a game for each of the Giants and the 49ers.
Safety
Clayton Fejedelem, Miami Dolphins (2016-19)
Your prototypical special teamer. The former seventh-round selection is an overachiever that won’t let you down as a fourth safety either.
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