CINCINNATI -- With organized team activities beginning to end for the Cincinnati Bengals, we are winding down our position-by-position look at where their offseason roster currently stands.
We started at quarterback, wondering if Andy Dalton really could be pushed by his three backups. Then we looked at running back, where we explored the feasibility of using a true fullback this year. We also questioned whether or not Marvin Jones and Mario Alford could be difference-makers at receiver. We then asked if the Bengals had enough time to build depth under Tyler Eifert, followed by an inquiry about the help Russell Bodine needs on the offensive line's interior. Next was an exploration into the consistency the Bengals have at offensive tackle with Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith in the final years of their current deals.
Let's continue at defensive end, where we ask: How can Michael Johnson's return during free agency help aid a pass rush Pro Football Focus graded as the NFL's worst last year?
DEFENSIVE LINE
DEs on the roster: 6. Johnson, Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Will Clarke, Sam Montgomery
Expected DE rotation: Cincinnati's hope is that at least five of the names above can factor into a pass-rushing rotation this fall. The Bengals would be genuinely content if Johnson, Dunlap, Gilberry, Hunt and Clarke could all be used in a fluid cycle that keeps each fresh and productive. Naturally, the hope is that Montgomery could factor as well, but he figures to be the odd man out. A 2014 practice squad player, Montgomery ranks the lowest on Cincinnati's pass-rushing totem pole entering this season.
Johnson and Dunlap are expected to line up at their familiar and respective right and left edge-rushing spots, while Gilberry slips back into the No. 3 rusher's role. That means after receiving the most single-season snaps of his career by a long shot last year (786), he will have more chances this season to play as the nickel rusher, coming in primarily as a third-down specialist to rush from the line's interior. He was most successful in that role in 2012 and 2013, when he walked away with 6.5 and 7.5 sacks in those seasons. Last year, taking on an expanded role after Johnson left in free agency for Tampa Bay, Gilberry had just 1.5 sacks. Johnson's return should allow a more rested Gilberry to be more productive.
The Bengals also would like to get Clarke and Hunt meaningful reps as backups.
Offseason goals for DEs: Hunt's primary focus is to get healthy. The third-year 6-foot-8 lineman still hasn't received all the tutelage necessary to reach his potential, yet he has been dealing this offseason with an undisclosed injury. It has been enough to keep him out of OTAs, although coach Marvin Lewis contends he will be back in time for training camp. Injury or not, this was a crucial offseason for Hunt, whose development hasn't been as smooth as the Bengals had hoped.
Clarke, on the other hand, has had opportunities to grow during OTAs with Hunt absent. Some teammates believe Clarke has taken advantage, too, claiming the second-year end has performed quite well during the practices.
The primary objectives for Johnson, Dunlap and Gilberry is to all get to the regular season healthy, and also to have some experience playing in their "old" roles together again. Johnson knows all too well about playing a full season unhealthy after he battled through ankle issues he received at the very beginning of his only year with the Buccaneers. His production faltered in part because of it, leading to his release and subsequent free agency.
