Three former Bengals who should find their way back to Cincinnati late in free agency
Remaining salary cap space tells us that the Cincinnati Bengals can still make a few more moves in free agency and retain the wiggle room they like to keep for the rest of the offseason. But cap space is just one variable in play. Cincinnati currently has 61 players on its roster, and it's been […]
Remaining salary cap space tells us that the Cincinnati Bengals can still make a few more moves in free agency and retain the wiggle room they like to keep for the rest of the offseason. But cap space is just one variable in play.
Cincinnati currently has 61 players on its roster, and it's been that way since Trent Brown signed on the dotted line nearly two weeks ago. The Bengals can feasibly fit a handful more players on the roster while still having room to fit 10 draft picks and even more undrafted free agents before reaching the 90-player offseason limit.
Here are three of their own free agents who can fill some of those remaining openings.
Markus Bailey, linebacker
Akeem Davis-Gaither is back in the fold behind starters Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt, but ADG's fellow 2020 draftee remains on the market. Bailey has been a reserve and special teams contributor since being drafted in the seventh round four years ago. The 31 other clubs likely see him exactly as the Bengals do.
If there's minimal interest elsewhere for Bailey, the Bengals should absolutely bring him back to shore up the depth at linebacker.
Josh Tupou, defensive tackle
An overhaul at defensive tackle is still ongoing, but it hit a lull once Teair Tart left his visit at Paycor Stadium without an agreed contract. The Bengals don't have a true nose tackle on the roster entering the NFL Draft. Outside of Tart, there aren't many veteran options available from around the league.
Tupou wasn't likely in the plans to be brought back this offseason, but that's why free agency is as unpredictable as it is. Re-signing Tupou on a veteran minimum deal would provide more peace of mind than the Bengals currently have at nose tackle.
Max Scharping, center
Depth concerns also exist at center behind Ted Karras, the oldest player on the team who's also entering a contract year. Scharping didn't have to fill in for Karras outside of the last game of the season when plenty of second-stringers played snaps.
Scharping won last year's backup center battle with Trey Hill. Nothing about that dynamic appears to have changed other than Scharping is still out there, and Hill is on the roster. A vet minimum deal here would be advised.
Three remaining free agents the Cincinnati Bengals should sign to put a bow on free agency
Cincinnati is entering NFL Draft mode, but a few more moves could be made on the veteran side of player acquisition.
