In recent weeks we began putting together our "Locks" for the Cincinnati Bengals roster in 2011. It's our way of predicting this roster. And considering that trades have happened twice in the past eight days to redefine the roster, we're not going to with a 53-man roster just because we can or because we're forced to. This is a progressive list of players locked into the roster -- and we can't predict which players that are released from other teams that the Bengals might sign. That being said we locked in 35 players (17 on offense, 15 on defense and three on special teams).
Here's our original list (take note that more are being added today so stay tuned!)
Quarterback (2): Andy Dalton, Bruce Gradkowski [Link]
Running Back (3): Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard [Link]
Full Back (0): [Link]
Offensive Line (7): Andrew Whitworth, Bobbie Williams, Kyle Cook, Andre Smith, Anthony Collins, Clint Boling, Nate Livings [Link]
Wide Receiver (4): A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, Jordan Shipley, Andre Caldwell [Link]
Tight End (1): Jermaine Gresham [Link]
Defensive Line (6): Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene [Link]
Linebackers (4): Rey Maualuga, Brandon Johnson, Thomas Howard, Manny Lawson [Link]
Defensive Backs (5): Chris Crocker, Reggie Nelson, Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Morgan Trent
Place-kicker (1): Mike Nugent
Punter (1): Kevin Huber
Long Snapper (1): Clark Harris