Bengals Add 13 UDFAs

After making eight picks during the draft, the Bengals announced yesterday that they’ve added 13 undrafted free agents:

• S Larry Brooks (Tulane)
• WR Malachi Carter (Georgia Tech)
• LB Shaka Heyward (Duke)
• WR Mac Hippenhammer (Miami (Ohio))
• WR Shedrick Jackson (Auburn)
• G Jaxson Kirkland (Washington)
• DT Devonnsha Maxwell (Tennessee-Chattanooga)
• LB Jaylen Moody (Alabama)
• LB Tyler Murray (Memphis)
• DT Tautala Pesefea (Arizona State)
• HB Jacob Saylors (East Tennessee State)
• TE Christian Trahan (Houston)
• HB Calvin Tyler Jr. (Utah State)

Jaxson Kirkland is one of the most intriguing UDFAs in the NFL. He considered declaring for both of the previous two drafts, and he was considered a top OT prospect for the 2022 selection show. However, a severe ankle injury forced him to opt out of that draft, and despite being productive during another season at Washington, he ended up going undrafted this year. The lineman’s versatility could make him an interesting piece on Cincinnati’s depth chart.

Despite adding Chase Brown in the draft, the Bengals still added a pair of RBs in free agency. Jacob Saylors starred at ETSU, finishing his 2022 season with 1,355 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Calvin Tyler Jr. also had a productive final two seasons at Utah State, scoring 15 total touchdowns. The Bengals could give a long look at each of these rookies to be the primary backup to Joe Mixon.

If Cincinnati does eventually look to break up their trio of top wideouts, they’d be looking for inexpensive reinforcement elsewhere. The team used a pair of draft picks on wide receivers, but they also added three UDFAs at the position. Mac Hippenhammer was the most productive of the undrafted grouping; he had 1,555 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons for Miami of Ohio.