Five under-the-radar 2021 free agents the Bengals should target

The Cincinnati Bengals will undoubtedly be chasing some of the biggest names set to hit free agency this offseason. The club will look to hang on to their homegrown talent, Carl Lawson and William Jackson III, two of the best players at their respective positions on the open market. Of course, top-tier offensive linemen like Joe Thuney and Taylor Moton will be on the wishlist as well.

While the splash signings are always nice, most of the time, the best value-signings come in the second and third waves of free agency. The Bengals, known for their smart salary cap management, will certainly have their eyes on a number of under-the-radar prospects that aren’t widely talked about by the public.

It’s these kinds of signings that will open up the draft for the front office, especially in the first round, allowing them to add the most talent possible rather than making a selection out of desperation.

It would be a shame if the Bengals had to reach for an offensive tackle (if Penei Sewell is gone) or edge rusher because those concerns weren’t addressed in free agency. This especially holds true if Ja’Marr Chase or Kyle Pitts is on the board and the coaching staff believes they can form an offensive juggernaut with their addition.

If Cincinnati can land some combination of the following free agents, not only would they be getting good players on reasonable contracts, but they will also put themselves in the driver’s seat when it comes to the draft.