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Predicting Cincinnati Bengals’ 2015 Starters Before Training Camp

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Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting Cincinnati Bengals’ 2015 Starters Before Training Camp

Bengals Huddle
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With each new season comes an offseason of training camp battles as players vie for a spot on the 53-man roster. A majority of players come fresh from injury sustained in the past season and ready to compete. Teams add depth to their lineups by signing free agents and draft picks with a chance to contend for starting positions come Week 1. These are the players predicted to be the Cincinnati Bengals starters in 1015.

Quarterback

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Andy Dalton
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

It is no surprise that come the start of the 2015 season Andy Dalton will be under center. Coach Marvin Lewis has made that clear. The fourth-year quarterback has led the Bengals to the playoffs each year he has been in the league. Dalton has a 39-23-1 regular season record, but has gone winless in each postseason showing. After signing a seven-year contract in 2014, Dalton will be expected to live up to the $96 million deal in 2015.

Running Back

Jeremy Hill
Jerrell Freeman-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

Jeremy Hill
Jerrell Freeman-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Hill had nine starts towards the end of his rookie season a year ago and led all running backs in the NFL along with Miami Dolphins Lamar Miller with 5.1 yards per rush attempt. Hill is the Bengals' first rookie running back to reach 1,000 yards since Corey Dillon in 1997. The Bengals have a dynamic running back tandem with third-year back Giovani Bernard backing up Hill.

Wide Receiver

A.J. Green
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver

A.J. Green
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Four-time pro bowler A.J. Green has been one of the NFL's most consistent outstanding wide receivers since entering the league. A year ago Marvin Jones missed the entire season due to a foot injury, but will be competing with Mohamed Sanu for the starting spot opposite of Green. Expect Sanu to get the start come Week 1 because of the way he was able to contribute in the absence of Jones a year ago.

Tight End

Tyler Eifert
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

Tyler Eifert
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the Bengals have let Jermaine Gresham go to free agency, there will be a new face starting at tight end. Tyler Eifert is expected to be the starter in his third year with the team. Eifert was injured throughout his entire rookie year and in 2014 he had three receptions for 37 yards in Week 1 before being placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. The Bengals spent two of their draft picks on tight ends in this year’s draft.

Offensive Line

Bengals Offensive Line
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line

Bengals Offensive Line
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Left tackle Andrew Whitworth has been one of the most dependable tackles in the league and will get the start. Clint Boling impressed the Bengals in his three years and will start at left guard. Russell Bodine had an exceptional rookie season a year ago and will continue to start at center. A healthy Kevin Zeitler will return to start at right guard. Andre Smith ended last season on injured reserve, second-round pick Jake Fisher may start Week 1.

Defensive Line

Geno Atkins
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line

Geno Atkins
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Dunlap led the Bengals a year ago with eight sacks and will return as their starting left end this season. Long-time Bengal Robert Geathers is no longer with the team, Wallace Gilberry will get an opportunity for more playing time as a starter at the right end position. Geno Atkins is the best athlete on the Bengals' defensive front and could be one of the best defensive tackles in the game. Atkins will start at defensive tackle.

Linebacker

Vontaze Burfict
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Linebacker

Vontaze Burfict
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Right outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict missed a majority of the 2014 season and was ultimately placed on injured reserve on Week 15 with a knee injury. Burfict will get the start if healthy. If not, third-round draft pick Paul Dawson may get the opportunity. The heart of the Bengals’ defense, Rey Maualuga will be the starting middle linebacker and third year Emmanuel Lamur will start at left outside linebacker after a breakout season in 2014.

Defensive Back

Bengals Secondary
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Back

Bengals Secondary
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals are stacked at cornerback with a bunch of first-round talent. Leon Hall has been one of the most reliable at the position for a number of years for the Bengals. Adam Jones should get the start opposite of Hall. George Iloka has earned the reputation as one of the best young safeties in the league and will start at strong safety. Reggie Nelson who led the Bengals in interceptions a year ago, will start at free safety.

Place Kicker

Mike Nugent
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Place Kicker

Mike Nugent
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Nugent will enter his 10th year in the league as the Bengals starting place kicker. A year ago, Nugent scored on 26-of-33 on his field goal attempts, which included 10-of-12 between 40-and-49 yards and a perfect 6-of-6 within 30 yards. Nugent struggled kicking field goals of more than 50 yards as he went 0-for-3.

Punter

Kevin Huber
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Punter

Kevin Huber
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Huber will continue to be the Bengals' starting punter in 2015. Last season, Huber had six touchbacks.

Dan Miller is a NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google

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