Who among the Bengals players have the most at stake coming into the final game of the preseason?
For the first time in what feels like ages, [the Cincinnati Bengals have depth at multiple positions on their roster.](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-53-man-roster-prediction-2026-nfl-season) Their wide receiver room was always a tad bit crowded, but this year, mutliple position groups have a handful of players contending for a spot on the main roster.
Because of that, there are a few players currently on the bubble ahead of the final roster cut deadline. Which among these players have the most at stake coming into the final game of the preseason for the Bengals?
**Cornerback depth opens up potential spot for Josh Newton**
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As usual, the Bengals' wide receiver room is a tad bit crowded this preseason. Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas have locked up a spot on the starting 11, but after that, things got a little interesting in the preseason. UDFA Colbie Young broke out as one of the big standouts in preseason, and he's more than earned his spot on the team. Dohnte Meyers has also been impressive in training camp, and after taking first-team reps in practice, figures to be part of the WR room. This should open up a competition between Mitchell Tinsley and long-time special teams ace Charlie Jones, but given Meyers' experience as a returner in college, that final WR spot likely goes to Tinsley and should be his to lose.
The offensive line would have likely been an interesting conversation a few days ago, particularly at the swing tackle position. [After the Bengals dropped Cody Ford](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-joe-burrow-protector-50-games-2023), though, Jalen Rivers likely has that spot on lock for the 2026 season. On the other side of the defensive line, rookie DT Landon Robinson stole the headlines with his play, and has locked up one of these spots. While there are some serious candidates outside of the top-53, the projected 11-man defensive line room seems to be mostly intact.
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Other position groups have their groups on lock, as well. The Bengals' rurnning back room will be mostly solid with Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, and Tahj Brooks. Tight end isn't an issue with Drew Sample, Mike Gesicki, Erick All and Tanner Hudson. The last spot on the team is likely going to go to Jack Endries if Cincy decides to invest in depth at that position. On the other side of the ball, the linebacker and safety positions seem to be mostly settled, with no player really challenging for the final spots in that area.
That leaves the cornerback room, where there's two former Bengals draftees battling for what could very well be the final piece of the puzzle. DJ Turner and Dax Hill have the starting positions on lock, while Tacario Davis, Ja'Sir Taylor, and Jalen Davis are the next three up. That leaves Josh Newton (2024 5th-rounder) and DJ Ivey (2023 7th-rounder) as the two competitors.
Ivey currently has the edge over Newton, thanks in large part to the former's better performance over the last few years. However, Newton is slowly but surely creeping up on Ivey's position in the depth chart. He's gotten an interception in three of their past practices, and has been slowly getting better over the course of this year's training camp. He's definitely making things interesting for the Bengals' front office heading into the final roster cuts.
Will Newton's late-preseason push be enough to get him off the practice squad to start 2026? It's hard to tell, but a great performance in the final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles should help him on that end. If he doesn't perform well there, though, or gets outplayed by Ivey… well, he's likely starting the season on the outside looking in.