The Cincinnati Bengals are a team that is on everybody's radar this season. They have a good defense and an offense with some great potential.
Andy Dalton and A.J. Green led a Cincinnati offense that was in the middle of the pack in 2012. They were very good defensively as they made it to the playoffs, but lost in the Wild Card round to the Houston Texans.
The additions of Giovanni Bernard and Tyler Eifert in the 2013 Draft should make for an improvement on the offensive side of the ball for Cincinnati. All of a sudden, Dalton has an array of targets to throw to and does not have to force the ball to Green over and over again.
The Bengals brought in some very interesting players as undrafted free agents. These guys have a bunch of talent, but went undrafted for one reason or another. These guys will have huge chips on their shoulders because they were passed up many times by every single team in the NFL. They will be out to prove themselves. A talented player with something to prove could easily equal NFL success.
In 2012, the Bengals signed undrafted free agent Vontaze Burfict, who impressed in the preseason and earned a spot on the regular season roster. Burfict ended up starting 14 games for the Bengals and racking up 73 tackles. He was an important piece to a very good Bengals defense.
The current UDFAs have the potential to have a similar impact that Burfict did. There is some serious talent on this list. Here are five undrafted free agents who could make the Bengals 53-man roster.
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Jordan Campbell is a very athletic linebacker prospect He has solid speed, good strength and a nose for the ball. He has the knack for making plays all over the field, and I could see him producing at a high level if he gets a chance to make the team.
Jayson DiManche looks like the most likely player to make the 53-man roster for the Bengals. So far in preseason, he has showed great pass rushing and pass defending skills, and has held his own in the run game. He has also impressed while playing in special teams, which is how you get your shot as an undrafted free agent. DiManche has nice athleticism and good instinct. Many teams will regret not drafting DiManche.
Onterio McCalebb is a very explosive player when the ball is in his hands. He played some offense in college, but the Bengals have him on the defensive side of he ball, mostly at safety. If McCalebb makes the 53-man roster, I doubt he plays much on defense, but he would be a weapon in the return game. McCalebb is a very good kick and punt returner, and that could get him a chance to prove himself with the Bengals.
Roy Roundtree was a very productive college receiver. He does not have elite size or speed, but he has shown great focus and the ability to make tough catches. I think Roundtree could stick on as a fourth or fifth receiver that helps out on special teams. He is a tough player that can make adjustments in the air to catch the ball. He may not ever become a no. 1 receiver, but he does have some value to this team.
Bruce Taylor is working at both inside and outside linebacker for Cincinnati. Taylor is a guy with solid athletic ability and great instincts. He was a very productive college player and seems to be a good leader. Taylor could help out on special teams and brings great depth to the linebacker position.
