
Cincinnati Bengals should target these best remaining free agents
Cincinnati Bengals should target these best remaining free agents
The Cincinnati Bengals did some big things on the first day of the NFL free agency tampering window. But plenty of needs remain across the roster -- and free agency has some big names the team could sign.
So far, the Bengals have mostly focused on defense, adding outsiders at linebacker and in the defensive trenches. They also kept some familiar faces with B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai. They even blended both re-adding Samaje Perine.
Now, here's a quick look at a few names on the market at positions of need the Bengals should target next.
G Brandon Scherff
Cody Ford isn't going to be the answer as a starting guard and they aren't paying him as such. Adding a longtime veteran like Scherff would lock up a starting spot and still give them wiggle room to draft a rookie who can compete at the other guard spot.
G Mekhi Becton
Don't sleep on Becton, a guy Bengals fans liked last year. He switched to guard and enjoyed a resurgence on the way to a Super Bowl in Philadelphia. He'd be a plug-and-play starter on the interior.
DE Azeez Ojulari
The Bengals obviously don't want to break the bank on a pass-rusher. But they still don't have enough proven pressure coming from the edge right now. Ojulari feels like a still-ascending player who will need to settle for a cheaper prove-it deal, perhaps putting him in their price range.
DL Larry Ogunjobi
Why not go after another old friend? The Bengals locked down a nose tackle in free agency already. Adding more versatile pass-rushing juice to the rotation with a guy like Ogunjobi on a cheaper contract would be a nice way to guarantee solid depth all season.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Raiders Reportedly Using Ashton Jeanty in Unique Role at OTAs
Raiders Reportedly Using Ashton Jeanty in Unique Role at OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders had the worst rushing attack in the league during the 2024 NFL season. Led by Zamir White and Alexander Mattison, the Silver and Black mustered a league-low 79.8 yards per game on the ground. Advertisement After winning just four games last season, in large part due to the team's lack of ground success, owner Mark Davis cleaned house this offseason. Davis hired Pete Carroll and John Spytek to be the team's next head coach and general manager. Their first draft selection was Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who comes to Las Vegas after a 2,601-yard, 29-touchdown campaign at Boise State. He and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be tasked with reviving the Raiders' rushing attack in 2025. Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty (2).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Many expect Jeanty to be the workhorse back for the Raiders immediately as a rookie. While that is certainly shaping up to be the case, reporter Levi Edwards added that Jeanty has been utilized in a unique role during the team's OTAs. Advertisement "It seems Kelly is placing Jeanty all over the field, giving him more opportunities to get the ball in open space in last week's practices," Edwards wrote. "This included screen passes and getting the ball to the running back out in the flat." Las Vegas added veteran Raheem Mostert during free agency, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns during the 2023 season. But it seems that the new brass is investing heavily in their No. 6 overall pick instead of using a committee approach. Jeanty was a slot receiver for a season in high school, and he showed off his pass-catching prowess during his second season at Boise State. During that year, he caught 43 passes for 569 yards and five touchdowns. Any way that Kelly and the Las Vegas staff can get the ball into Jeanty's hands is sure to help the Raiders' offense. With a solid passing attack led by Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, Jeanty's running ability should keep defenses honest. Advertisement However, if he is going to be used a pass-catching threat as well, then this could cause headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. It has been a long time since Las Vegas has had a high-end dual-threat running back, but it already appears that they have one in Ashton Jeanty. Related: Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Reveals Why He Joined Raiders Related: Maxx Crosby Had 6 Words For Tyrese Haliburton's Game-Winner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Browns Coach Reveals Shedeur Sanders' Chance To Win Starting Job
Browns Coach Reveals Shedeur Sanders' Chance To Win Starting Job originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Browns authored one of biggest storylines of this year's NFL Draft with their eventual move on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round after he was expected by some to be a top-10 pick. Advertisement Some so-called experts thought his college success wouldn't translate to the NFL after he played in an up-tempo offense with the Buffaloes. That's why it's surprising to some that Sanders is apparently adapting well to the huddle-first pro offense of the Browns - at least early in the summer. And maybe the "adapting'' could earn him a climb up the depth chart that includes Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Sanders. 'You can see them all winning the job, I think, right?' coordinator Tommy Rees said. 'And so in terms of the competition, we're so early in the process. We're so early in evaluating that. Yeah, I think, you know, we have a good group of guys that continue to push one another, and by the time September rolls around, we'll be ready to go.' Advertisement There are those in the media who are pushing the Shedeur idea. "Listen, in that building, there are people who believe that Shedeur can 100 percent be the starter of this football team," Martin said on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday. "You said it's incumbent upon the Browns to put him in the situation, it's also incumbent upon Shedeur to do the work, which, talking to people in that building, they've said he is soaking up everything like a sponge." OK. Meanwhile ... Rees offered intel on how the young quarterback is adapting during OTAs. "He's worked his tail off. He's putting in a lot of work as all those guys are. You can tell on the mental side of the game, learning the system and calling it and having that rhythm to it, he's put a lot of time and work and effort into that," Rees said. "When you do that the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions. He's done a good job of that as camp has progressed." Advertisement But here's the truth ... Reports are that Sanders has been taking the fourth-string reps and has mostly been participating in 7-on-7 drills and not the 11-on-11 drills that the other quarterbacks have been engaged in. So, hype aside, we're still a long way from getting an idea of how Sanders can adjust to the NFL. ... let alone be a starter. Related: Browns Cornerback Ranked Top 10 in NFL This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cleveland Browns Cornerback Denzel Ward Ranked Top 10 in NFL
Cleveland Browns Cornerback Denzel Ward Ranked Top 10 in NFL originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cleveland Browns are hoping for a much-improved 2025 over an abysmal 3-14 campaign from a season ago. Advertisement They've added some pieces on offense and defense this offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft, and hope they can find the piece at quarterback that fits best. But that's not to say there's not already talent on the roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Star defensive end Myles Garrett was just made the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL ... ever. And he'll be playing with one of the best cornerbacks in the league once again next season. Pro Football Focus just ranked the top 32 cornerbacks in the NFL, and the Browns' Denzel Ward showed in the top 10 at No. 10. 10. Denzel Ward, Cleveland Browns "Ward is another player who has struggled to stay healthy but, when at full strength, is one of the best in the NFL. Advertisement "In 2024, Ward was on a torrid forced-incompletion-rate pace until he faded at the end of the season. He still led the NFL with 17 forced incompletions, and his 80.4 PFF coverage grade in man and zone-match coverage was tops in the NFL." Ward was originally drafted by the Browns in the first round at No. 4 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. Across his seven seasons in the league, Ward has made four Pro Bowls and posted 322 total tackles with 264 solo and 11 for loss. He's added six QB hits and half a sack, with 17 interceptions, including two for touchdowns, four forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries with two for touchdowns. Related: Ex Flacco Teammate Goes Off on Browns QB's Remarks Related: 'I'm Gonna Win This Job!' Browns' Joe Flacco Oozes Confidence at OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.