The Bengals claimed Jordan Jefferson off waivers from the 49ers to bolster interior depth, reshaping a DT room that already features Slaton, Hill, Jenkins Jr. and Pennel. Cross III was waived to make room. Jefferson showed burst and upside as a rookie but must refine technique to maximize run disruption. With McKinnley Jackson pushing for snaps, Cincinnati is betting on a deeper, more flexible frontline for late-season battles.

Fantasy managers should watch how Jefferson earns his role: early down run defense and quick, disruptive bursts could unlock extra snaps in rotation. If he translates college upside to NFL consistency, Jefferson might push for meaningful group reps in a unit built to lean on youth and upside down the stretch.

The Bengals failed to claim anyone off waivers on Wednesday, losing a bid to the 49ers for Jordan Jefferson. Cincinnati was 17th in waiver priority, while San Francisco sat at 11, with 24 of 28 claimed players having a higher spot. Jefferson, a 2024 fourth-round pick, flashed in eight games with 12 tackles and a sack. Cincinnati already carries six defensive tackles and could cut one to clear room for Dalton Risner, who signed Wednesday. The ripple: would the risk of losing Jefferson have altered Risner’s move or the interior‑line plan?

Jefferson’s departure would not only shift depth charts but highlight Cincinnati’s ongoing DT search. The Bengals’ current interior group—Slaton, Hill, Jenkins Jr., Jackson, Cross III and Gregory—faces notable turnover pressure if Jefferson had landed. Risner’s addition then factors into a larger turnover narrative, suggesting Cincinnati remains intent on bolstering both lines as the season progresses, with potential fantasy implications depending on who stays and who goes.

The Cincinnati Bengals face a tougher final cut than in recent years, with more rookies in prominent roles and veterans battling for 53-man spots. Depth battles span the defensive line, safety corps, and wide receivers, while new coaches add to the complexity of decisions ahead of the roster deadline.

Key bubble players highlighted include McKinnley Jackson, Daijahn Anthony, and Isaiah Williams, each facing pressure to secure a spot or risk waivers. The safety group is still unsettled behind Geno Stone and Jordan Battle, with Tycen Anderson and PJ Jules in the mix. The WR room remains competitive behind Mitchell Tinsley, Charlie Jones, and Jermaine Burton, potentially pushing Williams to the waiver wire.

Isaiah Thomas burst onto Cincinnati’s roster conversation with a preseason finale flourish, flashing pressures and racking up two sacks that raise doubt about his final 53-man fate. The Bengals rolled him out alongside Raymond Johnson III, McKinnley Jackson and Howard Cross III, underscoring a fierce depth battle at edge and the risk of a waiver claim if he’s cut. Dynasty and redraft managers should watch how the roster decisions unfold, since a spot could unlock a late-season rush upside or a potential practice-squad stash that teams would chase.

Thomas’s path—from a 2022 seventh-rounder with Cleveland to practice squad detours and a December return to Cincinnati—adds intrigue to the final cuts. If he doesn’t land on the 53, another organization will likely bid, shifting how fantasy rosters value Bengals pass rush depth and special-teams contributors. The next moves in Cincinnati’s depth chart will be a tell for speculative bets and late-round adds in best-ball and dynasty formats.

The Cincinnati Bengals are banking on a youth movement in their defensive line, focusing on the potential of rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson. Despite injuries hampering their debut seasons, head coach Zac Taylor remains optimistic about their future contributions.

Drafted to fill the void left by DJ Reader, Jenkins and Jackson were expected to make significant impacts. However, both players faced challenges last year due to injuries. Jenkins struggled with a hand injury, while Jackson had to recover from a knee issue that kept him out for the first four games. The coaching staff is hopeful that under new defensive coordinator Al Golden, these young linemen can rise to meet the expectations placed upon them and solidify their roles in 2025.