Context:

The Cincinnati Bengals, after the 2025 NFL Draft, are poised to integrate several intriguing undrafted free agents into their roster, aiming to address weaknesses and bolster depth. Seth McLaughlin, an undrafted offensive lineman from Ohio State, has a strong chance to secure a spot due to his versatility and the Bengals' underperforming interior line. Howard Cross III, reuniting with his former coach Al Golden, could find his niche within the team's less competitive defensive line despite concerns over his size and speed. William Wagner, a consistently reliable long snapper from Michigan, enters a competitive scenario with incumbent Cal Adomitis, reflecting the Bengals' broader special teams' struggles. These undrafted talents, coupled with strategic draft picks like Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr., underscore the Bengals’ efforts to enhance their roster competitiveness for the upcoming season.

Dive Deeper:

• Seth McLaughlin, a standout lineman from Ohio State, brings significant big-game experience from his time at Alabama and Ohio State, positioning him as a strong contender for a backup center role behind veteran Ted Karras, especially given the Bengals' past challenges in the offensive line.

• Howard Cross III, a defensive lineman from Notre Dame, benefits from his connection with Bengals' defensive coordinator Al Golden, and despite his undrafted status due to size and speed concerns, his extensive college game experience makes him a viable candidate for the Bengals' relatively thin defensive line.

• William Wagner, rated as the top long snapper in the draft, faces a competitive offseason against Cal Adomitis, highlighting the Bengals' need to revamp their special teams after a challenging 2024 season, with Wagner's past consistency at Michigan enhancing his prospects.

• The Bengals' 2025 draft strategy, exemplified by first-round pick Shemar Stewart, an edge-rusher with high potential, and second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr., a linebacker addressing critical team needs, reflects a focused effort to reinforce key areas of the roster.

• With six draft selections and additional undrafted acquisitions, the Bengals are actively working to overcome their incomplete roster status, leveraging both new and returning talents to achieve a more competitive team composition for the upcoming NFL season.

• The Cincinnati Bengals came away with an interesting class in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

• In the first round, the team added Shemar Stewart, an athletic edge-rusher out of Texas A&M with a relentless motor. The team quickly checked off another need in the second by selecting off-ball linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. 

• The team made six total selections in the draft, and then added several interesting undrafted free agents following the draft. 

• The Bengals don't have the NFL's most complete roster by any means, so it's reasonable to think a few of these undrafted free agents could end up on the final roster. 

• Today, we're going to identify the three undrafted free agents who seemingly have the best shot to stick with the team. 

• Seth McLaughlin, OL, Ohio State 

  Seth McLaughlin is a player who easily could have been drafted. The lineman played in 10 games for the title-winning Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024 and earned All-American honors following the season. 

• The interior of the Bengals' offensive line struggled in 2024, and McLaughlin is talented enough to crack the roster. The lineman has plenty of big-game experience after playing at both Alabama and Ohio State, and is capable of playing either guard spot as well as center. 

• In Cincinnati, reliable veteran  Ted Karras should still be the starting center in 2025. However, the only other backup on the roster beside McLaughlin is former seventh-round pick Matt Lee. With a strong summer showing, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Ohio State product beat Lee out for the backup center job. 

• Howard Cross III, DL, Notre Dame

  Howard Cross III has a couple of things going in his favor in Cincinnati. 

• For starters, the defender is reunited with Al Golden, who coached Cross at Notre Dame and is now the defensive coordinator for the Bengals. Additionally, the defensive line in Cincinnati isn't the deepest, so it's not hard to imagine Cross earning a spot. 

• Cross likely went undrafted due to his lack of NFL size and speed. However, Cross played in over 60 games in college, so he has plenty of big-game experience and should be able to learn quickly under his former defensive coordinator. 

• In 2024, Cross racked up 28 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. The defender holds his own in run defense and also shows an ability to help out as an interior pass-rusher at times. If Cross performs this summer, don't be surprised to see him on the final roster. 

• William Wagner, LS, Michigan 

  Long snapper isn't exactly the most exciting position to monitor, I know. 

• However, the Bengals could have a hot competition at the position this offseason. Cal Adomitis was the team's long snapper in 2024, and the team re-signed him this offseason. 

• However, the Bengals struggled as a whole on special teams in 2024 and could decide to start fresh. William Wagner was rated as the draft's best long snapper by The Athletic's Dane Brugler, so Adomitis should have some tough competition to beat out. 

• Wagner was the long snapper at Michigan for the last five five seasons and was extremely consistent. Additionally, Adomitis has no guaranteed money on his deal, so the team could easily decide to role with Wagner and not be hurt.