Hakeem Nicks, Mike Williams Work Out For Bengals
TUESDAY, 4:09pm: In addition to Williams, veteran free agent Hakeem Nicks also worked out for the Bengals today, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Having lost two key receivers this offseason, Cincinnati appears to be surveying the market for potential depth, and the team will likely address the position in the draft as well.
MONDAY, 4:20pm: The Bengals will work out wide receiver Mike Williams on Tuesday, as Jim Owczarski of The Enquirer tweets.
Williams, a Buffalo native, signed with the Bills prior to the 2014 season and was expected to bolster the team’s passing game after the departure of Steve Johnson. Instead, he compiled just 142 yards and one touchdowns on eight receptions in 2014. Williams was reportedly unhappy in Buffalo and, in December of that year, the Bills decided to cut ties with him. Aside from a workout with the Giants in October of 2015 and a workout for the Patriots in late March, we haven’t heard much about the former fourth-round pick in recent months.
In other Bengals news, the team recently signed linebacker Karlos Dansby to a one-year, $2MM deal with another $250K available in incentives. For an early look at Dansby in his new Bengals jersey, head to our Instagram page and give us a follow.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bengals Sign Karlos Dansby
FRIDAY, 8:14am: Dansby’s one-year contract has a base value of $2MM, with another $250K available in incentives, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The deal also features a $700K signing bonus.
WEDNESDAY, 9:40am: The Bengals have made the signing of Dansby official, announcing the move today (via Twitter).
TUESDAY, 9:55am: Having been released earlier this month by the Browns, veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby has found a new home, but he won’t be going far — his new team plays in the same state and the same division as his old team.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Dansby is set to sign a contract with the Bengals. Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com had reported earlier this morning (via Twitter) that talks between Dansby and the Bengals were heating up.
Dansby, a former second-round pick, racked up 109 tackles, forced three fumbles, and intercepted three passes, including two for touchdowns, during the 2015 season. Pro Football Focus ranked him 25th out of 97 qualified non-rush linebackers. However, having decided to go younger on defense, the Browns opted to cut the 34-year-old with two seasons left on his four-year contract.
At the time of his release, Dansby told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he wouldn’t mind joining a Super Bowl contender like the Bengals, Packers, or Cardinals. “Yeah, I think the Bengals are licking their chops right now,” the linebacker said. “I hope they are. We’ll see what it is.”
The Bengals have some depth at linebacker, with Rey Maualuga, Vontaze Burfict, Vincent Rey, and A.J. Hawk among the available options for the three starting jobs. Still, the team did lose Emmanuel Lamur in free agency, and Burfict will serve a suspension to start the 2016 season, so adding a player like Dansby certainly won’t hurt.
Because Dansby was released by the Browns, he won’t count toward the compensatory pick formula for 2017’s draft. Cincinnati has lost several noteworthy free agents this year, including Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, and Andre Smith, so the club should be in line for a few extra draft picks next year.
Dansby is also said to have received some interest from the Seahawks, though his only reported visit was to Cincinnati.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bengals Work Out Vernon Butler
- Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Vernon Butler worked out for the Bengals today and will do the same for the Raiders tomorrow, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Bengals Sign Brandon LaFell
2:11pm: LaFell’s one-year pact is worth $2.5MM, with a $1MM signing bonus, per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). Pelissero adds that LaFell can earn an extra $500K in incentives for catches.
MARCH 31, 10:44am: The Bengals have made it official, announcing their deal with LaFell (Twitter link).
MARCH 30, 2:55pm: The Bengals have reached an agreement with LaFell on a new contract, the wideout’s reps tell Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
MARCH 23, 7:19am: After hosting him on a visit to Cincinnati, the Bengals are close to reaching a deal with free agent wide receiver Brandon LaFell, a league source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Nothing has been finalized yet, but it appears the two sides are on track to get something done.
LaFell, 29, spent the first six weeks of the 2015 season on the PUP list due to a foot injury, and although he played in the rest of the Patriots’ games, he never looked quite right. For the season, he caught 37 balls for 515 yards, and failed to reach an end zone.
LaFell’s performance in 2015 represented a significant step down from his 2014 showing. He was a key part of New England’s Super Bowl team in that season, setting career highs with 74 receptions, 953 yards, and seven touchdowns. He added another two TDs in the postseason, including one in the Super Bowl.
If LaFell could even split the difference between his 2014 and 2015 campaigns, he’d represent a nice addition for the Bengals, who lost the second and third wideouts on their depth chart this month. The team still has A.J. Green, who is locked up through 2019, but Marvin Jones is now a Lion, while Mohamed Sanu landed with the Falcons.
No Bengals wide receiver besides Green, Jones, and Sanu caught more than two passes in 2015. As such, Cincinnati is in the market for additional pass-catchers to complement Green and tight end Tyler Eifert.
It’s not clear yet what sort of contract LaFell will land, but his price tag isn’t expected to be exorbitant. His previous deal with the Patriots was a three-year pact worth $9MM, and he was cut two years into that contract. Because he was released prior to free agency, rather than having his deal expire, he won’t count toward the compensatory pick formula for 2017, which is good news for Cincinnati.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bengals Draft Rumors: Moore, Hargrave
- Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Moore has visits/workouts scheduled with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Texans, Eagles, and Bengals, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 tweets.
- Defensive line coaches from the Eagles, Titans, Steelers, and Bengals put Javon Hargrave through a workout which lasted almost 45 minutes, according to Tony Pauline for Walter Football.
Bengals Could Consider Braxton Miller In 1st Round
- Defensive line coaches from the Dolphins and Bengals ran the defensive line workout at Ole Miss’ pro day and tried to break Robert Nkemdiche but they could not, Tony Pauline writes for WalterFootball.com. Everyone in attendance was impressed with his position drills with some calling it a “special workout,” Pauline writes.
- Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link) is hearing first round buzz for former Ohio State standout Braxton Miller. Miller is looking to play wide receiver in the NFL after playing under center earlier in his college career. Miller worked out for the Texans recently and sources tell Miller that Houston sees him as possibility at No. 22. The Bengals, Vikings, and Panthers could also consider Miller late in the first round.
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Bengals Working Out Laquon Treadwell, Hosting DT Vernon Butler
The pro day for Ole Miss players took place on Monday, meaning all eyes were on prospects like wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. Treadwell said today that he has private workouts lined up with the Bengals and Dolphins, according to Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com (Twitter link). The young wideout met with the 49ers last night, per Tony Pauline at WalterFootball.com.
- Defensive tackle Vernon Butler, a Louisiana Tech product, said on SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that he has a visit with the Bengals lined up for Thursday.
Brandon Thompson Contract Details
- Brandon Thompson, DT (Bengals): One year, $840K. $50K signing bonus. $30K workout bonus. $150K incentive for playing time (Twitter link).
Bengals Draft Rumors: Treadwell, Coleman
Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell says the Bengals, Browns, Bears, and Cowboys have shown interest in him, Mike Florio of PFT writes. The first-round prospect also identified “New York” as a team with interest, but it’s not clear if that’s in reference to the Jets or Giants. San Francisco, which owns the No. 7 pick in the draft, has been said to have interest in Treadwell.
Taylor Mays Contract Details
- Taylor Mays, S (Bengals): One year, $840K. $25K signing bonus. $35K October 10th 53-man roster bonus (following suspension). $40K playing-time incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).