# Jay Morrison: Following the preseason opener against Detroit, Morrison updated his Cincinnati Bengals 53-man roster projection, naming starters and backups at every position group and identifying which players are on the bubble. **Claimed:** Aug 14, 2026 **Pundit:** Jay Morrison — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/jay-morrison **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/updated-cincinnati-bengals-53-man-roster-projection-after-preseason-opener-01m00aj88dx5 53 checkable claims — 27 depth chart calls and 26 roster spot calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet. It names 54 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 21 of 53 have settled so far, averaging 100 out of 100, against 61.9 for a naive guess at the same calls. Of the 8 unsettled calls enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room on every one. > In addition to defensive tackle, the outlook for a few other position groups have changed since the initial 53-man roster projection heading into camp *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Connor Lew to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Connor Lew, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Landon Robinson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Landon Robinson, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Erick All to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Erick All, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tahj Brooks to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Shemar Stewart to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Shemar Stewart, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Samaje Perine to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jalen Rivers to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jalen Rivers, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **D.J. Ivey to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: D.J. Ivey, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Kris Jenkins to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kris Jenkins, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Tanner Hudson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tanner Hudson, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Tacario Davis to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tacario Davis, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Oren Burks to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Oren Burks, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jack Endries to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jack Endries, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **B.J. Hill to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: B.J. Hill, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Cashius Howell to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cashius Howell, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Joe Giles-Harris to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Joe Giles-Harris, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Colbie Young to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Colbie Young, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tedarrell Slaton to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tedarrell Slaton, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Kyle Dugger to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kyle Dugger, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Dohnte Meyers to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Dohnte Meyers, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **PJ Jules to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: PJ Jules, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Bryan Cook to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Bryan Cook, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Chase Brown to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Mitchell Tinsley to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Mitchell Tinsley, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ja'Marr Chase to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jonathan Allen to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jonathan Allen, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Demetrius Knight Jr. to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Demetrius Knight Jr., Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jordan Battle to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jordan Battle, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **DJ Turner II to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: DJ Turner II, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **William Wagner to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: William Wagner, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Drew Sample to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Flacco to be 2nd on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ja'Sir Taylor to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Ja'Sir Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Mike Gesicki to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Daxton Hill to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Daxton Hill, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dylan Fairchild to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Dylan Fairchild, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Joe Burrow to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ted Karras to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Ted Karras, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dalton Risner to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Dalton Risner, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Orlando Brown to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Orlando Brown, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Tee Higgins to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Brian Parker to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Brian Parker, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Jalen Davis to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Jalen Davis, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Evan McPherson to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Ryan Rehkow to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Ryan Rehkow, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Shaka Heyward to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Shaka Heyward, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Amarius Mims to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Amarius Mims, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Barrett Carter to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Barrett Carter, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Andrei Iosivas to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Myles Murphy to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cody Ford to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cody Ford, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Dexter Lawrence to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Dexter Lawrence, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet - **Boye Mafe to be 1st on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: Boye Mafe, Cincinnati Bengals - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Connor Lew — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/connor-lew - Cincinnati Bengals — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/bengals - Landon Robinson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/landon-robinson - Erick All — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/erick-all - Tahj Brooks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tahj-brooks - Shemar Stewart — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/shemar-stewart - Samaje Perine — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/samaje-perine - Jalen Rivers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jalen-rivers - D.J. Ivey — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/d-j-ivey - Kris Jenkins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kris-jenkins - Tanner Hudson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tanner-hudson - Tacario Davis — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tacario-davis - Oren Burks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/oren-burks - Jack Endries — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jack-endries - B.J. Hill — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/b-j-hill - Cashius Howell — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cashius-howell - Joe Giles-Harris — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-giles-harris - Colbie Young — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/colbie-young - Tedarrell Slaton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tedarrell-slaton - Kyle Dugger — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kyle-dugger - Dohnte Meyers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dohnte-meyers - PJ Jules — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/pj-jules - Bryan Cook — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bryan-cook - Chase Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chase-brown - Mitchell Tinsley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mitchell-tinsley - Ja'Marr Chase — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ja-marr-chase - Jonathan Allen — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonathan-allen - Demetrius Knight Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/demetrius-knight-jr - Jordan Battle — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jordan-battle - DJ Turner II — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dj-turner-ii - William Wagner — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/william-wagner - Drew Sample — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/drew-sample - Joe Flacco — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-flacco - Ja'Sir Taylor — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ja-sir-taylor - Mike Gesicki — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mike-gesicki - Daxton Hill — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/daxton-hill - Dylan Fairchild — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dylan-fairchild - Joe Burrow — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/joe-burrow - Ted Karras — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ted-karras - Dalton Risner — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dalton-risner - Orlando Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/orlando-brown - Tee Higgins — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tee-higgins - Brian Parker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brian-parker - Jalen Davis — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jalen-davis - Evan McPherson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/evan-mcpherson - Ryan Rehkow — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ryan-rehkow - Shaka Heyward — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/shaka-heyward - Amarius Mims — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/amarius-mims - Barrett Carter — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/barrett-carter - Andrei Iosivas — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/andrei-iosivas - Myles Murphy — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/myles-murphy - Cody Ford — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cody-ford - Dexter Lawrence — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/dexter-lawrence - Boye Mafe — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/boye-mafe ## What others said about the same people - Chris Simms on Cincinnati Bengals: Simms went through the entire Week 3 slate with straight-up winners and predicted final scores, taking Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Carolina, Kansas City, Seattle, the Giants, Baltimore, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. He also expected Zay Flowers and Puka Nacua to sit, Kyler Murray to play, and said Marvin Harrison Jr. projects as no better than a good No. 2 or high-end No. 3 receiver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/662b7ba3-1bf6-4ad0-9f93-9f2ab83143fd (scored 40.48) - Chris Long on Cincinnati Bengals: Long liked the Rams over the Broncos on Sunday night even without Puka Nacua, and expected the Bills to beat the winless Chargers in Buffalo. He also backed the Bengals over the Steelers, expected an angry Detroit team to handle the Jets, and still thought both the Lions and Vikings could win the NFC North. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3df9ea25-e57f-4fd7-b20c-c910a1c3633a (scored 0) - Matt Harmon on Cincinnati Bengals: Harmon picked the Bengals to beat the Texans in Week 2, expecting Nico Collins to miss the game with a hamstring injury, and also predicted the Titans would be shut out by the Eagles. He took the Rams over the Giants, the Bears over the Vikings, and the Jaguars at Denver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/21a71025-ab65-4716-ac2c-e77ad5ce3348 (scored 100) - Nate Tice on Cincinnati Bengals: Tice picked the Bengals over the Texans in a low-scoring game, the Jaguars at Denver, the Bears over the Vikings, the Patriots over the Steelers and the Rams to edge the Giants, and his Hail Mary was the Cowboys scoring 40 on Washington. He also floated Abdul Carter as a possible All-Pro. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b6211c80-3d1c-46b8-8a0c-151fc0ba92de (scored 73.81) - John Middlekauff on Cincinnati Bengals: Middlekauff expects blowout wins for Seattle over Washington and Kansas City over Miami in Week 3, picks Cincinnati to beat Pittsburgh in the AFC North matchup, and takes Tennessee over the Giants if Jameis Winston is taking snaps. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8115d255-82e3-442e-aeef-c3eaa3587603 (scored 0) - Bryan DeArdo on Cincinnati Bengals: He picks the Bengals to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh in a low-scoring, defensive game, arguing Pittsburgh's struggling offense can't break through against Cincinnati's strong defense. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/105a1dc7-6107-450a-bc8d-a65798ee0257 (scored 50) ## More depth chart calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Pat Fitzmaurice on Jonah Coleman: In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/2cbd48f6-15ea-4aa5-84bc-bcc50d94d09a (scored 0) - Fox Sports on Michael Penix Jr.: Fox Sports states that a healthy Tua Tagovailoa will serve as Atlanta's backup quarterback in Week 3, with Michael Penix Jr. handling the starting duties against Green Bay. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a90e69a8-707f-43e9-a63e-cdb3e7bd0829 (scored 100) - Pat Fitzmaurice on Aaron Jones: In previewing the 10 most intriguing fantasy performers of Week 2, Fitzmaurice expects Atlanta's quarterback problems to persist with Tua Tagovailoa unlikely to play and Michael Penix Jr. not ready to return, flags Falcons slot corner Billy Bowman Jr. as a possible Week 2 returnee, and describes Aaron Jones as Minnesota's lead back and Kaelon Black as the clear backup to Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/31adc8bb-8f15-453f-bbcf-cab44e29b8b3 (scored 100) - Matt Severance on Deshaun Watson: The CBS Sports preview backs Tampa Bay to beat Cleveland in the Bucs' Week 2 home opener, and states that Deshaun Watson — not Shedeur Sanders — will be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 2. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/944568ce-7205-409f-8354-a392016fd8bf (scored 100) - Rafael Zamorano on Deshaun Watson: Zamorano reports Watson will start Week 2 at Tampa Bay and suggests there's little reason to expect improvement, raising the possibility Watson's five-year contract never yields more than single-digit wins. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d7d7e0a2-61e0-4525-970b-b01a2356f11b (scored 100) - Rich Hribar on Tua Tagovailoa: Hribar expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Atlanta's starting quarterback for Week 2 while Michael Penix stays out, with Penix's return closer to Week 4. He is unenthusiastic about the Falcons' offense either way and treats Bryce Young as a fringe fantasy starter. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/124ac755-a942-4382-8bad-177da7f8170d (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=jay-morrison