Bengals Player Profile: Ceyair Wright eyeing limited space in suddenly experienced cornerback room

The lack of an established starting nickelback in the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is what gives rookie undrafted free agent Ceyair Wright a chance to make it through final cuts.

John Sheeran Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals rookie cornerback Ceyair Wright
Dec 28, 2024; Bronx, NY, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Ceyair Wright (15) celebrates after the game against the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

We’re 80 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. We’ll have gone through the entirety of the Bengals’ 90-man roster by the time that exhibition starts. Check out previous player profiles here.

Our next player is another UDFA whose position may give him an advantage in sticking around.

Ceyair Wright Player Profile

Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Cornerback
College: Nebraska
Jersey Number: 22

Ceyair Wright was signed as a UDFA by the Bengals following the 2026 NFL Draft. Wright spent five years in college, playing three years at USC (2021-23) and then two years at Nebraska (2024-25). He played back-to-back full seasons for the Cornhuskers, tallying 68 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions including a pick-six.

Wright, a native of Los Angeles, was mainly an outside cornerback for his hometown Trojans and stayed at that spot during his first year with Nebraska. He was moved to the slot during last season.

Contract details

Wright signed a three-year, $3,115,000 deal with the Bengals as he was classified as a college free agent. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $15,000 as a signing bonus. His cash figure for the year is $900,000, and his salary cap hit will be $890,000.

Roster outlook

Wright is one of two undrafted defensive backs signed by Cincinnati this offseason, and the only cornerback. Third-round pick Tacario Davis joins him as the lone rookies in the room. Davis is a roster lock, and Wright is far from it.

The lack of an established starting nickelback in the Bengals’ defense is what gives Wright a chance to make it through cuts. Should Jalen Davis need pushing, or if Wright is the best backup for him as opposed to Ja’Sir Taylor and others, that’s his path to staying around.

Roster odds: 10%