Five Bengals To Watch vs the New York Jets

Margus Hunt, defensive end

Hunt was a player to watch last week as well. He is again this week for the same reason. His production will be crucial for the Bengals this season. Currently, Hunt does not start at defensive end, but he does come onto the field during passing downs at left defensive end.

That means a lot of pass rushing snaps for Hunt, who doesn't have a sack in the regular season yet. Last week, he did get a very impressive sack where he threw the offensive lineman down with one arm [gif]. His other 21 snaps were relatively quiet, although he did get two more pressures. Hunt will get a lot of snaps against the Jets.

He needs to continue pressuring the quarterback consistently and understand his responsibilities in the running game a little better.

Dane Sanzenbacher, wide receiver

Marvin Jones' foot injury has left the team with an opening at the third receiver spot. Coaches have insisted that Marvin Jones will be replaced by multiple people, not just one person. The team will certainly use more two tight end sets (Hello, Tyler Eifert), but the player who will step into the lineup in three wide receiver sets is likely to be Dane Sanzenbacher in the slot.

Sanu is also good in the slot, but Sanzenbacher is a better receiver right now than Brandon Tate or Cobi Hamilton, who are better on the outside. Sanzenbacher is also in consideration for the punt returner and kick returner jobs. On Saturday, you'll see the ball in Sanzenbacher's hands a lot.

Darqueze Dennard, cornerback

With Dre Kirkpatrick out with a hip injury (his second injury of 2014 camp), Dennard will gladly take his vacated snaps. Dennard has covered very well in training camp and recorded several interceptions as well [video]. He recorded an unblocked sack in the first preseason game against the Chiefs, but didn't cover as well as he can.

He allowed two catches last game and was given a -2.1 pass coverage grade by PFF. He also missed two tackles. I expect a big bounce back game for Dennard against the Jets by shutting down the Jets backup receivers and getting an interception from Geno Smith or Michael Vick.

Ryan Hewitt, H-back

Marvin Lewis said the other day that Orson Charles was "in a dogfight" with Hewitt for the H-back spot. However, read an article by the Enquirer's Paul Dehner Jr. from last night, and you'd think Hewitt has already made the team. Lewis talks about how Hewitt could "make the 46-man roster stronger, too, if he contributes on special teams".

In the same article, Special teams coach Darrin Simmons "raves of his acuity for special teams", and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson "praised Hewitt's versatility in succeeding lined up in the backfield, motioned wide catching passes and performing any other task thrown his way." It's not hard to tell that one of these 'dogs' is heavily, heavily favored.

By the time the regular season comes around, Hewitt will be a key member of this roster. He'll also receive a few goal line targets off play-action as well.

Mike Pollak, center

This week in camp, a major change happened on the backup offensive line - Mike Pollak took the backup center role. Current starter Russell Bodine had another high snap over Dalton's head on Wednesday, so the coaches have finally begun started looking at Pollak as a center. He will get a lot of snaps in the Jets game at his new position.

Pollak was a center in college and had been a guard for most of his seven year NFL career. He played well enough in five starts at right guard last year that he deserves a chance to start for the line this year. If Pollak can play better than Bodine in the preseason, he should be the center in week 1.