2 Bengals Free Agency Targets This Offseason

With Trey Hendrickson heading to the open market, the Cincinnati Bengals can spend heavily in free agency. 

Ahead of the legal tampering period opening on March 9, the Bengals’ cap space projects out to $47.2 million. Only six teams possess more cap room than the Bengals. 

For Cincinnati, the presumed priority is fixing a broken defense. In each of the previous two seasons, the Bengals placed 28th or worse in defensive DVOA. 

How should the Bengals spend that money to make a run in the AFC North? Find two free agency targets for the team below. 

Bengals Free Agency Targets: 2 Signings to Help Cincinnati

Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks Edge Rusher

Presumably, the Bengals will look to replace Hendrickson this offseason. If Cincinnati elects to try and re-sign him, it will eat up a large chunk of their cap space. 

Mafe enjoyed a strong spell in Seattle over a four-year span. He recorded 20 sacks since 2022, but declined to two in 2025. 

However, those two sacks came against 40 pressures. Over the last three seasons, Mafe averaged just over 48 pressures per season. 

It’s a slight concern that he declined each year. However, that could affect his market perception and lead to a cheaper alternative in Cincinnati. 

Daniel Faalele, Baltimore Ravens Right Guard

It’s no secret that the Bengals offensive line ranks amongst the worst in the league. 

Last year, the line ranked 28th in pass-block win rate compared to 10th in run-block win rate, per ESPN. 

Faalele struggled in each of his first two seasons with the Ravens, allowing seven sacks on only 20 pressures. 

Then he posted better metrics in years three and four. His 62 pressures remained a concern, but he allowed only five sacks over those two seasons. 

Ultimately, Faalele offers an upgrade over the current Bengals options. In any capacity, Cincinnati should look to address the line to better protect Joe Burrow.