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Bengals Camp Wars: Who Locks Down Starting Spots at CB, LB & O-Line?
Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Training Camp: The Big Position Battles Explained Simply
Welcome to Bengals Camp!
Imagine the Cincinnati Bengals are like a basketball team getting ready for a new season. The starters (the best players) are mostly picked, but there are still open spots on the bench—and those spots matter a lot! This year, the team isn’t searching for starters like they did last year. Instead, they’re figuring out who backs them up and who steps up if someone gets hurt.
Here’s your easy-to-read guide to the three biggest competitions happening over the next six weeks.
The Most Important Battle: Cornerback
IMPORTANT POINT: The coaches say this is the #1 position battle in camp. The winners will play 1,000–1,500 defensive snaps this season—that’s a LOT of playing time!
Who’s Already Safe? (The "Locked In" Starters)
- DJ Turner II – Starting outside cornerback
- Dax Hill – Starting outside cornerback (coach says he’s staying outside)
- Jalen Davis – "Incumbent" starter at nickel (slot) cornerback
The "Battle Royale" for the Rest of the Spots
Everyone below is fighting for: the nickel spot (if Davis slips) + two backup spots.
| Player | Background | Why They’re Interesting |
|---|---|---|
| DJ Ivey | 2023 7th-round pick, 195 career snaps | Coach favorite! Played great in 115 snaps last year covering tight ends on 3rd down. |
| Tacario Davis | 2026 3rd-round pick | High draft capital = team invested in him. |
| Ja’Sir Taylor | 127 snaps with Chargers/Jets last year | Veteran experience on other teams. |
| Josh Newton | 2024 5th-round pick | Young, developing player. |
| Brayln Lux | 2025 undrafted free agent, 19 snaps | Long shot, but made the roster last year. |
| Kyle Dugger | 3rd-string safety | Can play corner too—versatility bonus! |
What the Bosses Say
- Duke Tobin (GM): "We got a lot of guys with versatility that can play inside, outside… not going to pigeonhole anybody."
- Al Golden (Defensive Coordinator): "If you want more roles, master your current one. That’s what DJ Ivey did."
- Zac Taylor (Head Coach): Confirmed Hill stays outside—so no moving him inside to fix depth.
Outlook
Total toss-up. Any combination of these names could make the final 53-man roster. Ivey, Jalen Davis, and Tacario Davis have slight edges, but it’s truly "best man wins."
The "Prove It" Battle: Linebacker
IMPORTANT POINT: This isn’t really a competition between players—it’s the two starters competing against their own 2025 struggles.
The Starters (But On Thin Ice)
- Demetrius Knight Jr. – Started as rookie, struggled early, improved late
- Barrett Carter – Same story: rough start, better finish
The Backups (Fighting for Roster Spots + Special Teams)
- Oren Burks – 31-year-old veteran
- Joe Giles-Harris – 29-year-old journeyman
- Shaka Heyward – 26-year-old former undrafted free agent, 48 career snaps
What’s At Stake?
The entire defense’s stability. If Knight and Carter look like "lost rookies" again, the Bengals have no veteran backup plan and might have to trade for help mid-season.
What the Coaches Say
- Duke Tobin: "We believe in the group… they are the established vet now. You have to develop guys within."
- Darrin Simmons (Special Teams Coach): "I feel really good about the backups… that is the strong suit of our core special teams unit."
Outlook
Roles feel set, but the pressure is massive on Knight and Carter. Camp will show if they’ve truly leveled up—or if the Bengals made a risky bet.
The "Insurance Policy" Battle: Offensive Line Depth
IMPORTANT POINT: The starting 5 are all back together for the first time since Joe Burrow arrived! But… both starting tackles have injury histories.
The Starters (Set in Stone)
- Left Tackle: Amarius Mims
- Right Tackle: Orlando Brown Jr.
- Interior: Solid, with Jalen Rivers + two new draft picks for depth
The Battle: Swing Tackle (Backup for BOTH tackle spots)
| Contender | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cody Ford | Leader in the clubhouse. Started at LT late in 2024 during win streak. |
| Javon Foster | Practice squad last year. |
| Andrew Coker | Practice squad last year. |
| Two rookie UDFAs | Undrafted free agents—long shots. |
| Brian Parker | 6th-round pick, played tackle in college but practicing at guard now. |
Why This Matters
Protecting Joe Burrow. The Bengals throw a LOT. If Mims or Brown goes down, the backup tackle plays immediately in a pass-heavy offense. That’s scary if the backup isn’t ready.
What the Coaches Say
- Duke Tobin: Pushed back on "depth is an issue" narrative—says he likes the competition.
- Dan Pitcher (Offensive Coordinator): "We’ll have a lot better answer in a month… lot of opportunity for guys to show what they can do."
Outlook
Ford probably wins—he has the experience and did it before. But if he struggles like last camp, Parker might cross-train back to tackle, or it becomes a true free-for-all.
Quick Summary: What to Watch For
| Position | Battle Type | Key Names | Decision Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerback | Wide open | Ivey, Tacario Davis, Jalen Davis, Ja’Sir Taylor | Final roster cuts (early Sept) |
| Linebacker | Starters vs. Themselves | Knight Jr., Carter | First few weeks of camp |
| Offensive Line | Backup Tackle | Cody Ford vs. Foster/Coker/Parker | Preseason games |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Why is cornerback such a big deal if the starters are set?
Because NFL defenses use 3+ cornerbacks on 60–70% of snaps. The "nickel" corner and backups play almost as much as starters. Last year, the Bengals didn’t have good answers here—and it showed.
2. What does "UDFA" mean?
Undrafted Free Agent—a player who wasn’t picked in the NFL Draft but signed a contract anyway. They’re long shots, but many become stars (like former Bengal Mike Hilton).
3. Can a safety really play cornerback?
Yes! Kyle Dugger is listed as a safety but has the speed/skills to cover receivers. "Versatility" is a magic word for coaches—it means one player fills two roster spots.
4. Why didn’t the Bengals sign a veteran linebacker?
They chose to spend money/draft picks elsewhere, betting that Knight and Carter’s Year 2 jump would be huge. It’s a calculated risk—if it fails, they’ll scramble for trades later.
5. When will we know who wins these battles?
- First clues: First week of padded practices (early August)
- Real evidence: Preseason games (mid-August)
- Final verdict: Roster cut day (usually late August/early September)
Final Thought
This Bengals team is built differently than the last two years. The stars are in place—now it’s about depth, development, and durability. The cornerback room is a true mystery, the linebackers have something to prove, and the offensive line needs a reliable swing tackle.
Grab your coffee, watch the practice reports, and enjoy the ride—Bengals football is back!
Source: Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic (July 2026)
