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Futurecasting: Bengals starting lineup in 2016 without extensions

OK, it's June and we're bored. We're taking the Bengals' list of free agents in 2016 and pretending that none will be signed to extensions (which won't happen) or be given RFA tenders. How would the Bengals starting lineup look in 2016?

By Josh Kirkendall
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It's an interesting perspective when you look through it with different lenses. There are 26 unrestricted and restricted free agents set to hit the market next year in Cincinnati, forcing some to approach this season as a final effort with this roster. Does that mean that the Cincinnati Bengals' window is closing? No. Does it mean that the window for guys like Leon Hall, Reggie Nelson and Andre Smith could be closing in Cincinnati? It's certainly possible.

We compared this year's starting lineup with what it could look like next season -- assuming that the Bengals don't re-sign anyone (which is virtually impossible). Obviously there are other factors to consider. There's an NFL draft and contract extensions that will be offered, signed and rejected prior to the start of the regular season.

Cincinnati's wide receiver position, as of this posting, is in serious trouble next season. That will clearly be addressed if there are no extensions. Regardless, this is an interesting (if not fun) examination on one possible future (always in motion, it is). NOTE: There are some positions that have more than one starter -- such as running back where the snaps will be evenly distributed (so says Jeremy Hill) and cornerback, where the team usually uses three cornerbacks.

OFFENSE

POSITION 2015 2016
Quarterback Andy Dalton Andy Dalton
Running back Giovani Bernard Giovani Bernard
Jeremy Hill Jeremy Hill
FB/H-Back Ryan Hewitt Ryan Hewitt
Wide Receiver A.J. Green A.J. Green (tag?)
Marvin Jones James Wright*
Mohamed Sanu Mario Alford*
Tight End Tyler Eifert Tyler Eifert
Left Tackle Andrew Whitworth Cedric Ogbuehi*
Left Guard Clint Boling Clint Boling
Center Russell Bodine Russell Bodine
Right Guard Kevin Zeitler Kevin Zeitler
Right Tackle Andre Smith Jake Fisher*

NOTES:

  • If A.J. Green isn't signed after the 2015 season -- we're assuming that the Bengals will apply the franchise tag.
  • Any combination can be used at wide receiver; simply put, we need more information this year to see who rises and falls.

DEFENSE

POSITION 2015 2016
Defensive End Michael Johnson Michael Johnson
Carlos Dunlap Carlos Dunlap
Defensive Tackle Geno Atkins Geno Atkins
Domata Peko Domata Peko
WILL Vontaze Burfict Vontaze Burfict
MIKE Rey Maualuga Rey Maualuga
SAM Emmanuel Lamur PJ Dawson*
Cornerback Leon Hall Dre Kirkpatrick
Dre Kirkpatrick Darqueze Dennard*
Adam Jones Josh Shaw*
Safety Reggie Nelson Derron Smith*
George Iloka Shawn Williams*
  • Any combination could be used at linebacker -- I picked Dawson over Sean Porter at SAM -- and we'd understand if someone would pick A.J. Hawk (knowing the Bengals preference of veterans over youth).

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