We’re 84 days (12 weeks!) away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. We’ll have covered every player on the Bengals’ 90-man roster by the time final cuts arrive. Check out previous player profiles here.

Let’s begin our foray into this year’s undrafted free agent class with the lone addition at his position.

Jamal Haynes Player Profile

Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Running back
College: Georgia Tech
Jersey Number: 24

Jamal Haynes was signed as a UDFA by Cincinnati following the 2026 NFL Draft. Haynes played five years of college football at Georgia Tech from 2021-25. His first two years were spent at wide receiver and he never caught a pass at that position. He transition to running back in 2023 and reached 1,059 yards on the ground on just 174 carries. He led all Yellow Jackets in yards from scrimmage (1,110) and total touchdowns (12) in 2024.

Haynes’ rushing production and usage dropped in both 2024 and 2025, but his receiving production increased during those two years. As a fifth-year senior, he posted 33 receptions for 257 yards.

Contract details

Haynes signed a three-year, $3,101,000 deal with the Bengals as a college free agent. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $1,000 as a signing bonus. His cash figure for the year is $886,000, and his salary cap hit will be $885,333.

Roster outlook

Cincinnati officially lists Haynes at 5-7, 195 pounds, making him the shortest player on the roster. His switch to RB makes total sense considering his build, and it makes him one of the more interesting rookies in this UDFA class.

The Bengals didn’t sign a veteran RB this offseason, despite reported interest, and left the draft without as well. Haynes is one of two undrafted rookies entering the group, giving him a decent chance at breaking through should the initial 53 include more than just Chase Brown, Samaje Perine, and Tahj Brooks.

Roster odds: 10%