Approval Poll: Bengals’ initial 53-man roster

The Bengals didn’t make too many surprising moves at the deadline to cut down to the 53-man roster. It has to be noted, though, that this is merely the first draft of a story that may change several times over by the time Cincinnati gets ready to suit up for Week 1.

On of the first things that pops out from the final roster is the Bengals rolling with only two quarterbacks on the roster, and one of them is Ryan Finley. There was absolutely no competition for Joe Burrow to have the starting job this season, but the fact the team cut both Brandon Allen and Jake Dolegala (right when I memorized how to spell his name no less) is pretty shocking. We all saw what Finley did with the starting job last season, and now the team has to be comfortable with the reality that he will take over in the event that Burrow goes down.

Linebacker Jordan Evans making the initial roster was pretty surprising as well. Many anticipated with the team bringing in four linebackers on top of already having Germaine Pratt this offseason that Evans wouldn’t have a spot. Evans could be standing in the way of guys like Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither from getting valuable snaps as rookies.

Speaking of surprising holdovers from the Marvin Lewis era, offensive lineman Alex Redmond made the roster despite being just activated recently due to an injury that held him out of camp. This is a guy that offensive line coach Jim Turner has banged the table for in the past and praised, which doesn’t bode well for the team if he is a stone throw away from starting.

There are still going to be plenty of moves made. The Bengals have first priority on the waiver wire, and they would be fools not to utilize it. They also will have Trae Waynes making his way to injured reserve, so that will free up a spot for a cornerback to replace him.

How do you feel about this initial list of names? Who would you have cut, and who would you have kept?