Underrated Free Agents Who Could Fit the Bengals' Mold in 2026
As free agency looms, Bengals fans are dreaming big-top-tier signings, splashy additions, the kind of moves that dominate headlines. But if history is any guide, Cincinnati’s front office tends to play things a little closer to the vest. Instead of chasing big names, they often look for value: familiar faces, high-upside bargains, and players who fit their culture.
That doesn’t mean they’ll sit on their hands. With a few key decisions still up in the air-most notably the future of Trey Hendrickson-there’s plenty of intrigue around what Duke Tobin and company might do.
If Hendrickson gets tagged and stays, it tightens up the budget. If he’s moved, the ripple effects could reshape the offseason strategy.
So while fans hope for fireworks, let’s take a look at some realistic, under-the-radar free agents who could quietly make a big impact in Cincinnati-players who fit the Bengals’ mold: cost-effective, team-first, and scheme-versatile.
Three Budget-Friendly Defensive Targets for the Bengals
1. Andre Cisco - Safety, Jets
Let’s not sugarcoat it-safety is a glaring need. The Geno Stone experiment didn’t pan out, and Cincinnati can’t afford another miss at the back end of the defense. While the draft will likely be part of the solution, a veteran presence is essential.
Enter Andre Cisco. A gifted athlete with range and instincts, Cisco’s career has been a bit of a rollercoaster.
After flashing promise in Jacksonville, he found himself buried on a Jets team that never quite got off the ground. A pectoral injury midseason didn’t help his cause, especially in a contract year.
But here’s the thing: Cisco still has the tools to be a playmaker. He’s not going to command top-tier safety money, which makes him exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward signing Cincinnati has gravitated toward in recent years.
At worst, he’s a quality depth piece. At best, he gives the secondary a much-needed boost of athleticism and ball skills.
2. Clelin Ferrell - Defensive End, 49ers
Yes, we all remember Ferrell being taken fourth overall back in 2019-a pick that raised eyebrows then and still does now. But forget the draft slot. What matters is what he’s become: a steady, high-character rotational edge rusher who knows how to contribute in a team-first role.
Ferrell posted four sacks in just eight games with the 49ers last season, and he’s been consistently productive in limited snaps over the past few years. For a Bengals team that’s trying to develop young talent like Shemar Stewart, Ferrell could be the perfect bridge. He brings experience, locker room leadership, and enough juice off the edge to keep offensive lines honest.
He’s not a headline grabber, but he’s the kind of grinder who helps you win games in December and January.
3. Malcolm Rodriguez - Linebacker, Lions
If you watched Hard Knocks, you know the name. Malcolm Rodriguez-“Rodrigo”-was a fan favorite from the jump. Built like a fire hydrant and wired to compete, Rodriguez has all the traits you want in a depth linebacker: speed, toughness, and special teams value.
He got lost in the shuffle in Detroit’s deep linebacker room, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play. In Cincinnati, he wouldn’t be expected to start, but he’d be a great addition to a young linebacker group still trying to find its identity. Think of him as competition for Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter-a guy who can push the room, bring a little grit, and maybe even carve out a role in sub-packages.
Two Intriguing WR3 Options for Burrow’s Offense
1. Dyami Brown - Wide Receiver, Jaguars
Let’s be clear: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the stars of this show. But every great offense needs a third act-someone who can stretch the field, win matchups against nickel corners, and make defenses pay for overcommitting to the top two.
Dyami Brown might be that guy.
After being buried on a crowded Jaguars depth chart last season, Brown is flying under the radar again. But rewind to Washington’s playoff run in 2025, and you’ll see why he’s worth a look.
In three postseason games, he caught 14 of 18 targets for 229 yards and a touchdown-averaging over 16 yards per catch. That’s not just production; that’s clutch production.
At just 26 years old, Brown still has the speed and route-running chops to be a vertical threat. With Burrow’s deep-ball accuracy and Higgins and Chase drawing attention, Brown could feast on single coverage. He’s a low-cost flier with real upside.
2. TuTu Atwell - Wide Receiver, Rams
TuTu Atwell is fast. Like, really fast. But in an evolving Rams offense that leaned heavily into tight-end-heavy formations last season, there just wasn’t a clear role for the 5'9", 165-pound burner.
That could change in Cincinnati.
Atwell’s speed would bring a different dimension to the Bengals’ offense. Stick him in the slot, rotate him with Chase, or use him on motion and jet sweeps-there are plenty of creative ways to get him the ball. And with defenses already stretched thin trying to cover Chase and Higgins, Atwell could be a big play waiting to happen.
He’s not a volume guy, but that’s not what the Bengals need. They need someone who can flip the field in a flash. With Burrow’s arm and Atwell’s wheels, the potential for fireworks is real.
The Bottom Line
The Bengals don’t need to make a big splash this offseason-they need to make the right moves. With a few smart signings, they can shore up depth, add competition, and give Joe Burrow and Lou Anarumo the tools they need to make a serious run in 2026.
Guys like Cisco, Ferrell, Rodriguez, Brown, and Atwell won’t dominate headlines. But in Cincinnati’s system, with the right coaching and a clearly defined role, they could quietly become difference-makers.
And in a league where depth and versatility win championships, that might be the Bengals’ best play.