The Bengals have made it through cut down day after announcing their initial 53 man roster. Before the practice squad can be assembled, most of the cuts must pass through waivers. There are a handful of players that they will be hoping to see pass through, but they will also be looking to potentially make a claim of their own. Some intriguing names were placed on waivers by other teams. Let’s take a look at who the Bengals may consider, either as a waiver claim or as a free agent/potential practice squad signing if they pass through waivers.
DE, Carl Lawson
A familiar face, Lawson was released by the Cowboys after signing not long ago. Myles Murphy was placed on IR and will miss at least the first 4 games, and the Bengals could use some pass rush help. Lawson wouldn’t be a bad addition as a situational rusher.
RB, Samaje Perine
Another familiar face, Perine was let go by the Broncos during their final cuts. As a veteran, he makes it to free agency without going through waivers. He would be a solid signing to replace Trayveon Williams as the team’s RB3.
DE, Andre Carter
The Bengals had a different edge rusher named Andre Carter in camp, but he was released. This Andre Carter went undrafted last year out of Army, and was just released by the Vikings. However, he is someone who has a lot of upside as a pass rusher. With Murphy on IR, Carter is a dart throw that could end up working out if he is put in the right spot.
DT, Siaki Ika
Ika finds himself being waived just a year after being a 3rd round pick of the Browns. He hasn’t looked particularly good thus far, but showed potential in college to be a good run stuffing NT. With this being a position of need for the Bengals, perhaps they take a chance.
G, Matthew Jones
The rookie UDFA had a pretty solid preseason with the Dolphins before getting cut. While his run blocking does need work, he showed to be a pretty good pass blocker. At 25, he is on the old side for a rookie, but nevertheless, he showed enough that a team might see potential there to put in a claim. With the Bengals being thin at G, they could be among the teams to take a look, especially with Jones having played his college ball nearby at Ohio State.
WR, Terrace Marshall
Joe Burrow’s former LSU teammate finds himself on waivers after being cut by the Panthers. As intriguing a waiver claim as it would be, I would be surprised if he is added to the roster, over someone like Trenton Irwin, who has been a reliable depth piece. Though Marshall does possess a lot more upside, Zac Taylor likely wouldn’t want to disturb what he has currently. If Marshall were to make it through waivers, I do think Burrow would like to have him in the building, as a member of the practice squad. That is, if another team doesn’t add him to their roster.
QB, Desmond Ridder
Ridder was cut by the Cardinals after they acquired him from the Falcons earlier in the offseason. He was a high draft pick recently, but is still pretty rough around the edges. With Browning on the roster, I don’t see the Bengals putting in a claim. But if he passes through waivers, he would be a good developmental guy to have on the practice squad. He is someone who could be developed into an eventual number 2, or even a starter that could be used as trade bait.
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