8 bargain bin NFL free agent targets for Bengals
· Yahoo Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals feel like a team about to strike in NFL free agency again.
That’s not wishful thinking. Reporting and common sense say the Bengals have plotted out this free agency strategy rather on the nose to this point.
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Those Bengals attacked edge rusher, safety and interior defensive line as big priorities. Now, they’ll turn to a mixture of this Wave 2 of free agency and the draft to attack spots like rotational depth on the line, defensive backs and linebackers.
Sifting through free agency’s bargain bin right now, some notable names stick out, too.
DL Calais Campbell
It’s wild that Calais Campbell is considered anything close to “bargain bin.” But the NFL very much cares about age. He’ll turn 40 this season. But he’s been dominant in each of his last four stops. He just posted 6.5 sacks in Arizona last year. And a team can’t get a better mentor for guys like Shemar Stewart than Campbell.
DL Joey Bosa
The Bengals need more rotational help on the edge. Joey Bosa, who turns 31 in July, could provide. He’s a finisher in the same sense as Trey Hendrickson. Last year in Buffalo, Bosa appeared in 15 games, his highest since 2021. He had five sacks in a rotation, which would be a solid contribution in Cincinnati.
CB Trevon Diggs
Trevon Diggs is a buy-low candidate with big upside after his last few years have been derailed by injury. The Bengals desperately need better depth on the boundary, never mind a starter in the slot. Diggs would help in some fashion. Maybe it could turn into a solid Eli Apple situation?
TE David Njoku
David Njoku isn’t really bargain bin per se, but he only caught 33 passes last year, so his stock’s low right now. Tight end depth is a possible problem for the Bengals given Erick All’s injury history. Njoku would provide a dynamic piece who can do it all.
Edge Cam Jordan
We’ve wondered if the Bengals were one of the teams after Cam Jordan. He might turn 37 in July, but he’s got that veteran leadership they need and had 10.5 sacks last year. He’d be a stellar addition to the rotation.
LB Bobby Wagner
Same vibe as Campbell here: Bobby Wagner isn’t bargain bin, he’s just older. And incredibly productive. He’s 35, but just had 9.5 tackles per game last year. A rotational player and one fantastic mentor guide for Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter.
Edge Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney is a big name and still productive. Now 33, he just had 8.5 sacks last year. Tack on 32 pressures over the 13 games last year, too. He wouldn’t play a massive role on the field in Cincinnati, but again, rotational production and leadership are big factors right now.
DL DJ Reader
It feels like this reunion dream is dead in the water unless the Bengals shock and still cut TJ Slaton. So far, that doesn’t sound like it’s on the table after the Jonathan Allen signing. Still…leadership and a fan favorite.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals free agency: 8 bargain bin targets still available