Bengals continue adding to defense, eye offensive-heavy draft?

Daniels and Bledsoe were both free agents who played on similar one-year deals last year. Their returns provide depth on a defensive line that added tackle Larry Ogunjobi and end Trey Hendrickson, and Cincinnati still appears to be looking on the free agent market to bring in more experience.

The Bengals also made official on Monday the free agent signing of safety Ricardo Allen and on Tuesday announced the re-signing of offensive guard Quinton Spain.

Daniels, a 10th-year player, originally was a fourth-round pick of the Packers in 2012. He spent his first seven seasons (2012-18) with Green Bay, and then played one year (2019) in Detroit before joining Cincinnati last year when he played and started 11 games and totaled 17 tackles. For his career, Daniels has played in 122 games (85 starts) and totaled 252 tackles, 30 sacks, an interception, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown.

Bledsoe, a second-year player out of Oklahoma, originally was a college free agent signee of the Tennessee Titans in 2019. He spent his rookie season on Tennessee’s practice squad, then joined the Bengals as a free agent during training camp last year. He played in 14 games with four starts in 2020 and totaled 17 tackles and two passes defensed.

While the defensive roster fills out with re-signings and new additions from free agency, the Bengals appear to be positioning themselves for an offensive-heavy draft board. According to ESPN NFL draft analyst Jim Nagy, Bengals coach Zac Taylor was among the NFL coaches in attendance at Florida’s Pro Day on Wednesday, and at least one Bengals representative was expected to be at LSU’s event as well.

Two players from those schools have been connected to the Bengals as possible first-round picks at No. 5 in several mock drafts: Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Both players were impressive in their measurements and tests Wednesday. Chase, measuring just over 6 feet tall and 201 pounds, answered any questions about his height and speed, while also showing the strength he’s been known for while making contested catches. He clocked 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash and posted a 41-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot broad jump.

Chase is the 23rd wide receiver to record at least a 41-inch vertical since 2011, and he ranked in the 95th percentile in vertical and broad jumps and 90th percentile in the 40, according to Senior NFL writer for The Draft Network Trevor Sikkema.

Pitts, at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, posted an unofficial time of 4.40 seconds in the 40, quite a time for someone of his size. He also recorded a wingspan of 83 inches, which is longer than any wide receiver or tight end in the last 20 years, according to NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, and posted a 33.5-inch vertical and 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump and 22 reps on the bench press.

The Bengals will be looking to add pieces around Joe Burrow in the early rounds of the draft, and Burrow has said he “would love” to be reunited with his former LSU teammate in Chase. Pitts would add another weapon in the tight end room that also features 2019 second-round pick Drew Sample and veteran C.J. Uzomah.

Cincinnati also has been linked with Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell, whose Pro Day takes place Friday.