Winners
The Bengals made it an indicate improve their linebacker space this offseason. That consisted of spending 3 badger the position in the 2020 NFL Draft, including their last pick in Purdues Markus Bailey.
While it was basically a backup for a backup trade, it will still have a considerable influence on how the final 53-man roster is built. With that in mind, heres a take a look at the biggest winners and loser from the offer.
The Bengals made a splash prior to cutdown day by getting Broncos protective tackle Christian Covington in exchange for linebacker Austin Calitro.
Markus Bailey
3 days after drafting Bailey, the Bengals claimed Austin Calitro off waivers from the Jaguars, a clear signal that Baileys area on the 53-man lineup was far from ensured.
There was a scenario where the Bengals kept Calitro and Bailey, however that would have meant Jordan Evans didnt make the final lineup. Assuming Josh Bynes, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson are all near-locks for the Week 1 roster, theres just 1-2 more linebacker spots up for grabs with Evans in genuine danger of being cut.
Now that Calitro is gone, Baileys opportunities of making the 53-man roster have actually significantly increased.
The last linebacker area may effectively have boiled down to Bailey and Calitro, and my guess is the latter had a small edge if so. While training camp was more minimal this year, it appeared Calitro was higher on the chain of command, as he was even getting second-team associates at linebacker last week. Head coach Zac Taylor even singled out Calitro as somebody making a positive impression on defense.
Yes, the team did sign Mike Daniels, but hes more of a Geno Atkins backup. While the Bengals did pay leading dollar to sign Reader, you still wish to keep him effective for a full season, which is more difficult to do if hes playing 60%+ of the snaps every video game.
Losers
Now, Evans still could up being cut, but like Bailey, his possibilities of making the last lineup got a huge increase with Calitro exiting the competitors. His possibilities of doing so are better now that Calitro is gone.
The final linebacker spot may really well have come down to Bailey and Calitro, and my guess is the latter had a slight edge if so. While training camp was more restricted this year, it appeared Calitro was greater on the pecking order, as he was even getting second-team reps at linebacker last week. Head coach Zac Taylor even singled out Calitro as somebody making a favorable impression on defense.
Saying all of this, Covington can play behind Atkins and even sneak in snaps at protective end on run downs. However this relocation should still help keep Reader fresh.
Now that the Bengals have a more adequate backup at nose take on, it will prevent Reader from being required to play more snaps while keeping him more efficient and fresh over a 16-game season.
As mentioned above, the Bengals required another adequate nose tackle-ish backup behind D.J. Reader, which opened a real possibility for undrafted rookie Trey Dishon to sneak onto the final roster. The 6-2, 311-pound lineman was probably the finest UDFA Cincinnati landed this year after he had a strong career at Kansas State.
Our own Matt Minich actually had Dishon making the lineup (in addition to Calitro making it over Bailey), however the Covington acquisition likely eliminated any hope of that.
D.J. Reader
Now, Evans still could up being cut, however like Bailey, his possibilities of making the last roster got a huge increase with Calitro leaving the competition. Evans has had a hard time to stand apart in the Bengals defense through his first three seasons, but at age 25 and getting in simply his 4th season, theres factor to think Evans can still turn into a strong function player. His possibilities of doing so are better now that Calitro is gone.
Going into cutdown day, the Bengals didnt actually have an appropriate backup behind the 6-3, 347-pound D.J. Reader, who is actually a nose take on that will consume up blockers in the middle of Cincinnatis defense.
Dishon still have a shot at the practice team, however Covington will most likely prevent the novice from making the initial 53-man lineup.
Jordan Evans
A lot of people called me out for having Trey Dishon on my 53-man roster prediction and having Calitro instead of Bailey – The Covington move remedies both– Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) September 4, 2020
Trey Dishon
