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NFL • 10 months ago

5 Cincinnati Bengals Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

5 Cincinnati Bengals Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

Bengals Helmets training camp — The Cincinnati Bengals' OTAs are swiftly approaching and players are preparing to battle it out at their respective positions in hopes of landing on the 53-man roster. Here are five players who must step up and will have some extra pressure on them to perform at their highest level.

The Cincinnati Bengals' OTAs are swiftly approaching and players are preparing to battle it out at their respective positions in hopes of landing on the 53-man roster. Here are five players who must step up and will have some extra pressure on them to perform at their highest level.

5. Tyler Kroft

5. Tyler Kroft

With the loss of Jermaine Gresham to free agency, Kroft has some big shoes to fill immediately in this Bengals offense. I thought for sure they would have signed a veteran tight end, but it seems as though they are putting faith in the rookie third round draft pick to team up with Tyler Eifert and get the job done. He needs to show in OTAs that he's ready to take on that role.

4. Mike Nugent

4. Mike Nugent

Nugent had arguably his worst season in 2014, going 26-33 on field goal tries. The Bengals chose to give him the benefit of the doubt by resigning him to a two-year deal this offseason, but the pressure will be on the 33-year-old to show he is able to bounce back and perform better in 2015. The Bengals brought in a rookie free agent kicker, Tom Obarski, to give him some competition.

3. Mario Alford

3. Mario Alford

Rookie seventh round pick, Mario Alford, is one of 10 wide receivers vying for a spot on the Bengals' 53-man roster. His impeccable speed speaks for itself, but is it enough? If he doesn't display the wide receiver ability to earn a spot on the offense, he will need to show that he has adequate kick-returning ability that's worth keeping him on the roster.

2. AJ McCarron

2. AJ McCarron

McCarron worked through shoulder pain last year, but it seems as if he is fully healthy heading into OTAs. This is a good thing, considering the back-up QB spot is not guaranteed with the recent signing of Terrell Pryor. These two will be battling it out for that role, so McCarron needs to display that healthy arm and show the Bengals' staff that he deserves to remain the No. 2 QB, and potentially their starter in future years.

1. Michael Johnson

1. Michael Johnson

It's quite obvious why Johnson was brought in to Cincinnati this year, and that is to help the Bengals' pass-rushing efficiency, which was the worst in the league in 2014. Everyone is expecting him to do big things for this defense in 2015, which means all eyes will be on him and his performance in OTAs.

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Julie Swartz is a writer for RantSports.

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