Bengals News (7/8): Tough cuts

Rookie tackle D'Ante Smith can play a role for the Cincinnati Bengals
On Sept. 26, 2020, Smith played the first game of his senior season at East Carolina against No. 13 UCF. According to ECU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler, Smith had missed most of training camp due to contact tracing for the coronavirus.

Cincinnati Bengals: 10 hardest cuts for projected 53-man roster
With only a few exceptions (hi, Joe Burrow), every spot and job on the roster should be up for grabs now that Zac Taylor has spent the last two offseasons remaking the roster.

Jessie Bates III "taking a level up" in Bengals leadership role
Bates’ experience in Cincinnati came in handy during the team’s offseason program. The Bengals added Ricardo Allen, Eli Apple, Chidobe Awuzie, and Mike Hilton as free agents in the secondary and they also have cornerback Trae Waynes back for his first snaps with the team after missing the entire 2020 season with an injury.

Cincinnati Bengals Among Teams That Helped Joe Burrow the Most This Offseason
The team selected Ja'Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick, signed Riley Reiff to replace Hart and added multiple offensive linemen in the 2021 NFL Draft. Cincinnati was one of three teams that supported their quarterback the most this offseason according to Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports.

Around the league

NFL Network guest analyst Brandon Flowers' Top 5 CBs entering 2021
NFL Network guest analyst Brandon Flowers shares his top five cornerbacks entering the 2021 NFL season.

Sean McVay thought 49ers might have traded up to draft TE Kyle Pitts at No. 3
At the time, there was another, much, much smaller faction of observers who thought the Niners might shock the world and select Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The thought process went that the TE was perfect for Kyle Shanahan's system, and pairing him with George Kittle would make the Niners' offense nearly unstoppable with what it could do through the air and on the ground.

Kyle Shanahan to Sean McVay on Matthew Stafford trade: ‘You don’t want to get me started, dude’
When the Los Angeles Rams made the blockbuster trade for Matthew Stafford, both the quarterback and coach Sean McVay were famously in Cabo. Another key NFLer was also in the area but had a different take on the trade of his division rival: Kyle Shanahan.

Steelers RB Benny Snell on fighting for roster spot: 'I never have settled and been comfortable'
The crowded room with Harris at the top should set off a battle for backup roster spots during training camp. With Snell and Ballage playing a similar reserve, between-the-tackles role, there should be a battle to make the final 53-man roster. ESPN beat reporter Brooke Pryor recently listed Snell as a veteran in potential danger of being cut.

NFL, Twitter extend partnership through multi-year deal
The National Football League (NFL) and Twitter announced today a multi-year partnership extension which will include expanded engagement formats and a full-season commitment to produce exclusive content on Twitter Spaces, Twitter's new live audio feature. Twitter will also continue to be a home for the games' biggest moments -- all the touchdowns, leaping catches, incredible runs, and celebrations after they happen, from season Kickoff to Super Bowl.