The preseason gives rookies their first taste of NFL game action and gives them much-needed reps heading into the regular season. For the Cincinnati Bengals, that opportunity comes Thursday as they open their preseason schedule on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Let’s take a look at some rookies to watch in their first piece of NFL spotlight Thursday night.
Edge Shemar Stewart
The obvious answer is the Bengals’ first-round pick. After his long (and arguably unnecessary contract standoff), Stewart is finally getting the reps he needs to develop and has been impressing early on. He’s listed as a second-team edge heading into the first preseason game. The Bengals love his versatility in the run and pass game. What the Bengals do with him in Thursday’s preseason opener will be intriguing to see, but the good news is that the contract situation is well in the rearview mirror.
LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
Knight has solidified himself as the new running mate to Logan Wilson in the middle of the defense. Of course, as a rookie, Knight can still use all the reps he can get. Even if it’s against backups, Knight will still get his first taste of NFL action Thursday. It will be interesting to see how long he is on the field in Philadelphia and how the team utilizes him early.
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OG Dylan Fairchild
The Bengals’ third-round pick has already ascended to the starting lineup. The early depth chart for Cincinnati shows Fairchild as the starting left guard. Can he hold on? He’ll be out there with the starters Thursday, but he still has to go out and perform in a game situation. Especially if he’s being tasked with protecting one Joe Burrow.
LB Barrett Carter
The Bengals’ fourth-round pick should have plenty of game action Thursday as he develops as a backup to Knight and Wilson and also should see some special teams work as well, which will be his focus as a rookie.
OL Jalen Rivers
Rivers has moved around the line a bit so far, playing both tackle spots and the Bengals may take a look at him at guard as well. The Bengals will have a chance to experiment with him Thursday and see what Rivers can bring throughout the line and how much value he can bring as a reserve lineman.
RB Tahj Brooks
Brooks has been impressing in camp in both the run game and the pass game. He has a chance to earn himself some meaningful snaps during the season, especially now that there’s one less body in the room with Zack Moss out of the way. He’s battling veteran Gary Brightwell, Kendall Milton and Quali Conley for a spot or two behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. Brooks’ ability in the pass game is giving him a leg up on the competition.
CB Bralyn Lux
Lux has been having a nice camp and is making his case to crack the roster as an undrafted free agent, despite the numbers game that could be against him in the secondary. Expect the Bengals to take a long look at Lux against the Eagles and expect Lux to make his case.
DT Howard Cross III
The Bengals are desperate for depth at defensive tackle behind B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton. Could the undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame crash the party? It helps that his college defensive coordinator is now his NFL defensive coordinator. Look for Cross to see plenty of work in the second half.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookies to watch in preseason opener vs. Eagles
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
