Training camp is well underway in Cincinnati, and some trends have started to emerge. The play of some guys has really stood out, as players are looking to lay claim to some vacant starting spots. With a couple of weeks of camp in the books, here’s a look at three Bengals players who are climbing up the depth chart and competing for a starting spot.
Andrei Iosivas, Wide receiver
Perhaps no one has had a better camp for the Bengals so far than wide receiver Andrei Iosivas. There’s a vacancy for the third starting wide receiver spot following the departure of Tyler Boyd in free agency, and Iosivas appears to be in pole position to secure the spot heading into preseason play.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner recently labeled Iosivas as Cincinnati’s “offensive star of camp.” That’s high praise from a plugged-in source. According to Dehner, Bengals receivers coach Troy Walters also recently referred to Iosivas as the team’s third-best receiver.
Iosivas also earned some major praise from Joe Burrow, whose opinion carries a lot of weight in Cincinnati.
“Andrei’s going to have a big year,” Burrow said of Iosivas. “I’m really excited about how he’s coming along. Wherever he ends up playing, whether it’s outside or inside, he’s able to do it all.”
if Iosivas continues to impress at camp, he could very well secure a starting spot for himself heading into the regular season.
Chase Brown, Running back
When the Bengals added Zack Moss in free agency after trading Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans, many assumed that Moss would be replacing Mixon as the team’s starting running back. But, it has been Brown taking a lot of reps with the starting unit early on in training camp, according to media reports.
The Bengals intend to utilize a timeshare approach in the backfield with Brown and Moss, but maybe Brown will end up being the lead back if he continues to have a good camp. Brown’s own teammates are certainly expecting big things from him.
“If I could play fantasy football, I’d take [Chase Brown] as my first running back,” Orlando Brown said of Chase. “He’s going to have a year. I guarantee it. Special talent, special player.”
Chase Brown is ready for a monster season 😳 pic.twitter.com/Eu9wKX3sxZ
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) August 3, 2024
That’s some pretty high praise from a veteran like Brown.
Amarius Mims, Offensive tackle
This is a situation where absence begets opportunity. Trent Brown missed the start of training camp for the Bengals, and the rookie Mims began camp by getting the starting reps at right tackle in Brown’s absence. It seems to have made the most of the opportunity thus far, earning some major praise from Bengals legend Willie Anderson in the process.
Anderson has been extremely impressed with what he’s seen from the rookie, and predicted that the University of Georgia product will ultimately become a “monster” when he puts everything together. That day may come sooner than some initially expected.
@Bengals watch Mims footwork! When he puts it together he’s gonna be a monster ! Elite feet for a dude that size! #Whodey #offensiveline #TrainingCamp #NFL #Bengals pic.twitter.com/QnkgQ7ZiB9
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) July 26, 2024
Defensive end Sam Hubbard has also been impressed with what he’s seen from the rookie offensive tackle.
“You see his size, his athleticism, his eagerness to get better every day.,” Hubbard said of Mims. “You see him talking to Ted (Karras), (Alex) Cappa, the veterans. Trent Brown. Holding him to a high standard. You can tell he’s got the pro mindset. He’s obviously got all the tools he needs. He’s going to be a great player for sure.”
When the Bengals drafted Mims in the first round of the 2024 draft, the hope was that he would ultimately be ready to become a starter on the O-line. That could be the case right out of the gate if he continues to put together a great training camp.
