With a rookie class that took over the back of the 53-man roster that was unveiled Tuesday, the Bengals kept that delicate balance of youth and experience that has made them one of the NFL's winningest teams over the last three seasons.

The average age is 25.8, even younger than last season's 25.95, when Elias rated them with the third-youngest active Opening Day roster in the NFL.

But the Bengals also have their most 30-year-olds in a couple of seasons, led by two on the offensive line in 31-year-olds Ted Karras and Trent Brown.

All ten draft picks made it, as well as rookie free agents Maema Njongmeta, a linebacker from Wisconsin, and punter Ryan Rehkow of BYU.

But injuries could alter the roster as soon as Wednesday, when the Bengals could tap the waiver wire to get a little bit healthier for the Sept. 8 opener against the Patriots.

When they put defensive end Myles Murphy (knee) on injured reserve-return, that left them with only four edge players. Also on the IR-return list is punter Brad Robbins (hip). They're eligible to return after the fourth week.

A look at the roster (NFL seasons in parenthesis)

QUARTERBACKS (2)

Joe Burrow (5), Jake Browning (2)

Burrow is poised for a September to Remember after his first full training camp. He gets better as the season goes, and gets more and more reps. If you go by passer rating:

September 89.5; October 102.9; November 94.3; December 108.3; January 113.2.

Imagine a December in September.

It looks like Browning (rib) is ready to go with the release of Logan Woodside.

WIDE RECEIVERS (6)

Tee Higgins (5), Trenton Irwin (5), Ja’Marr Chase (4), Andrei Iosivas (2), Charlie Jones (2), Jermaine Burton (R).

Iosivas looks poised to take over the slot once Chase is back. Can Burton show he's adept enough returning kicks to dress for the opener? Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons says a must with the new kickoff rule is sure hands and he seems to have those.

TIGHT ENDS (5)

Mike Gesicki (7), Drew Sample (6), Tanner Hudson (5), Erick All Jr. (R), Tanner McLachlan (R)

One of the reasons they went with ten defensive backs instead of 11 and kept five tight ends for the first time in maybe forever is apparently the promising presence of McLachlan, a sixth-rounder. Now we'll see if five tight ends survive Wednesday's makeover. But they like the ceiling of McLachlan, a 25-year-old pass-catching Canadian whose development was slowed during the spring with a sports hernia.

RUNNING BACKS (3)

Trayveon Williams (6), Zack Moss (5), Chase Brown (2)

With an eye toward the Sept. 8 opener against New England, Moss is 4-1 against the Patriots and averages 4.6 yards per his 38 carries against them.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

RT Trent Brown (10), C Ted Karras (9), LT Orlando Brown Jr. (7), RG Alex Cappa (7), G-T Cody Ford (6), LG Cordell Volson (3), G Jaxson Kirkland (1), C Matt Lee (R), RT Amarius Mims (R).

Lee, their last pick draft pick and second in the seventh round, beat out a four-year vet in Trey Hill when he grabbed the backup center job with stout play against first- and second-teamers from Chicago and Indianapolis. Kirkland, a practice -squadder from last year, takes up one depth spot with the ability to possibly play four spots. Good news that Mims (shoulder) isn't on a list, which must mean he's close to returning.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)

T Sheldon Rankins (9), E Trey Hendrickson (8), T B.J. Hill (7), E Sam Hubbard (7), E Joseph Ossai (4), T Jay Tufele (4), T Zach Carter (3), T McKinnley Jackson (R), T Kris Jenkins Jr. (R), E Cedric Johnson (R).

Who knows how this spot is going to look on Wednesday with only four edgers and Jackson (knee) not yet back to practice.

But one thing is for sure. Jenkins and Johnson came out of the draft and immediately younged up their depth behind the Big Four.

LINEBACKERS (5)

Germaine Pratt (6), Joe Bachie (5), Akeem Davis-Gaither (5), Logan Wilson (5), Maema Njongmeta (R).

With his instincts and tackling, the undrafted Njongmeta fended off two veterans in Devin Harper and Shaka Heyward for the last backer spot even though they cam into camp with a ton of NFL practice snaps comparatively.

SECONDARY (10)

S Vonn Bell (9), CB Mike Hilton (8), S Geno Stone (5), S Tycen Anderson (3), CB Dax Hill (3), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (3), S Jordan Battle (2), CB DJ Turner II (2), S Daijahn Anthony (R), CB Josh Newton (R).

The Age of Safety has dawned as the Bengals opted to keep five, including Anthony, a rookie who has been playing in the No. 1 dime package, and Anderson, one of the feel-good stories of camp. Anderson, on track for some Pro Bowl votes on special teams last season before he tore his ACL, looked and felt good playing the last two preseason games.

With the NFL trying to figure out the new kickoff rule, three of these safeties can run and cover in Anderson, Anthony, and Battle.

It's got to be the most versatile secondary in years. Four of the five corners (Hilton, Hill, Turner, Newton) can play the slot and Taylor-Britt can do it if you really needed him. Newton, another rookie who felt right at home right away, is playing inside and out.

The casualty is Davis, a guy the coaches love who backed up the slot the last three seasons with a reliable and cool 113 snaps.

SPECIALISTS (3)

K Evan McPherson (4), LS Cal Adomitis (3), P Ryan Rehkow (R)

Rehkow becomes the Bengals' second straight Opening Day rookie punter.