CINCINNATI -- With the start of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, you'll be seeing the terms "sleeper," "underdog" and "Cinderella" a lot the next few days.
(When 12th-seeded Yale upsets No. 5 seed Baylor on Thursday afternoon don't say you weren't warned.)
What better time then to examine the Cincinnati Bengals' roster and identify a few of their "sleepers." You may barely recognize these eight players right now, but you could get to know them this season:
RB Rex Burkhead -- A career backup, the 2013 sixth-round pick still will be behind Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard on the running back depth chart, but he could see a little more action in the passing game. Much of that depends upon what else the Bengals do to address their dearth of talent at receiver in free agency and the draft. Burkhead drew a career-high 15 targets in 2015 en route to catching 10 passes. He can line up in the slot, out wide or run routes out of the backfield.
WR Jake Kumerow -- The real answer to the Bengals' receiver needs may rest in Kumerow's hands. The 6-foot-5 Wisconsin-Whitewater product impressed Bengals coaches last spring and summer, but with solid depth at receiver they couldn't find a spot for the rookie beyond the practice squad.
OT/FB Jake Fisher -- It remains to be seen exactly how Fisher will be used this season, but his athleticism makes him a versatile blocker. Not only did he regularly set the edge as an extra blocker in heavy O-line sets last season, but he also filled in as a fullback when H-back Ryan Hewitt went down with an injury. With Andre Smith apparently on his way out of Cincinnati in free agency, Fisher also has the chance to audition for the starting right tackle position with fellow second-year tackle Cedric Ogbuehi.
DT Marcus Hardison -- With the possibility Brandon Thompson leaves in free agency, the Bengals could soon have a spot open in their defensive tackle rotation. A noted pass-rusher who can play inside and outside, Hardison would be a solid backup to 31-year-old Domata Peko, who is entering a contract year.
DT DeShawn Williams -- A true unknown, Williams was on the practice squad with Kumerow last season. He came off it just in time for the playoffs to give depth to the 53-man roster with Thompson out hurt. He was signed as a college free agent last year in part because his size and technique is reminiscent of Geno Atkins.
LB Jeff Luc -- Maybe Luc doesn't make the roster in September, but he should come close. Linebacker depth has been a concern for the Bengals the past two seasons, so one of the smarter decisions they made this offseason was adding the former University of Cincinnati/Florida State defender. He spent last season on New Orleans' practice squad. In his final college season, Luc had 65 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
CB Josh Shaw -- Bengals die-hards saw Shaw regularly in 2015 after the rookie filled in at nickel corner for an injured Darqueze Dennard. Expectations are high Dennard will break out in 2016, but also keep an eye on Shaw, the fourth-round pick who had seven tackles alone in Week 14's loss to Pittsburgh.
S Shawn Williams -- This could be the year Williams finally enters the Bengals' starting safety rotation. That largely depends upon what happens in free agency with Reggie Nelson, who could still re-sign on a short-term deal. Coaches have been trying for years to get Williams on the field more. His two interceptions in limited action last season -- particularly the Week 8 pick-off to preserve a win at Pittsburgh -- showed why.
