4 impending free agents the Bengals should focus on watching during NFL Divisional Round playoff games
Many argue that the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs is the best weekend on the football calendar. Four games featuring the last eight teams standing usually leads to a quality viewing experience, and Cincinnati Bengals coaches and members of the front office should be paying close attention.Free agency is still about two months away, […]
Many argue that the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs is the best weekend on the football calendar. Four games featuring the last eight teams standing usually leads to a quality viewing experience, and Cincinnati Bengals coaches and members of the front office should be paying close attention.
Free agency is still about two months away, but this weekend is a great opportunity to see how a handful of impending free agents perform on an elevated stage. The Bengals will be looking at adding help all over the defensive line and along the interior of their offensive line, and we know they typically target younger free agents looking for their second contracts.
If you were to focus on one player from each game over the next two days, these are the names worth your time.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs EDGE Joshua Uche
2024 APY: $3,000,000
2025 Age: 27
When the Chiefs needed pass-rushing help at the trade deadline a few months ago, they acquired Uche, a former second-round NFL Draft pick from the struggling New England Patriots. He hasn't provided much of the help he was expected to bring as he's recorded just one pressure in 40 pass-rushing snaps per Pro Football Focus, but his flashes from New England made him a desirable option for them in the first place. He may not fit in Kansas City, but when Cincy's defense will look for help on the other side of the formation from Trey Hendrickson, Uche could be a solid ancillary piece of the puzzle.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions
Lions DT Levi Onwuzurike
2024 APY: $2,037,223
2025 Age: 27
Detroit signed Cincinnati's nose tackle, DJ Reader, last offseason, so it's only right Cincinnati takes a look at the guy playing next to Reader now. Onwuzurike was a second-round draft pick back in 2021 and will be eligible for free agency for the first time this offseason. 2024 was the best of his three career seasons as his 2022 campaign was wiped out due a back injury that required spinal fusion surgery. He's stayed healthy for most of this year, and finished the regular season on a hot streak with 15 pressures and three quarterback hits from Weeks 16-18.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles DT Milton Williams
2024 APY: $1,277,546
2025 Age: 26
Williams, a third-round pick from 2021, chose a phenomenal time to look his absolute best right before he's set to cash in. He's generated more pressures (44) this year than the previous two combined (41) while playing a more aggressive role within Philly's stacked defensive line. He's a pure pass-rushing 3-technique, which the Bengals will not have on the roster once Sheldon Rankins is released, and Rankins didn't fit that role when he did play this year. There's a decent chance Williams will be out of Cincinnati's price range, but he fits everything they'd look for in a big fish to catch on the open market.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
Ravens OL Ben Cleveland
2024 APY: $1,196,796
2025 Age: 27
You may have to pay close attention in order to catch Cleveland on the field against Buffalo. Baltimore occasionally uses him when as an extra offensive lineman in their heavy packages. He's also logged some starts at both left and right guard in both the Greg Roman and Todd Monken offenses over the past four years since being drafted in the third round. He's not a promising answer to replace either Cordell Volson or Alex Cappa, but he'd be quality depth at the position and bring value as an eligible blocker in short-yardage situations. It wouldn't be the splashiest of signings, but quality depth is quality depth.
Bengals 2025 Impending Free Agents: Complete list of all 23 players with expiring contracts
Cincinnati’s offseason begins now.
