Cincinnati

Bengals

Hill was seen in a protective walking boot for his left foot at the Bengals’ voluntary workout session on Tuesday. It seems to be a new injury for the veteran, though it is not yet clear what the injury is. The Bengals just signed Hill to a three-year, $33 million contract in the offseason and will be hoping one of the investments into their defense gets healthy for the start of the regular season.

They’ll save $1.58 million against the salary cap after getting a pay cut from their starting safety. After two stellar years in Baltimore, Stone declined precipitously in 2024. His PFF coverage grade dropped from 85.3 in 2023 to 53.7 last year. He’ll be looking for a bounceback season under new defensive coordinator Al Golden in 2025.

Joe Burrow continues to push for his guys. After standing in the corner for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who both signed extensions this offseason, Russini reports Burrow has remained “adamant” about Hendrickson remaining with the team and suggested a “hometown discount” could be in the works on Hendrickson’s end. The Bengals selected pass rusher Shemar Stewart in the first round of this year’s draft, which many believed would spell the end of Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati. However, with the team appearing intent on keeping the band together in 2025 and beyond, it sounds like the chances of Hendrickson being traded are slowly dwindling.

NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that Williams’ former teammate, RB Chris Evans, also worked out for the Texans on Thursday. Both Williams (2019-2023) and Evans (2021-2023) served as Joe Mixon’s backups with the Bengals in prior seasons, and one would assume Mixon is a fan of the Texans’ dual-tryout. Wilson’s pre-draft reports indicated that the Texans hoped to draft a speedy receiving back, and although the team did add a capable pass-catching back in former USC RB Woody Marks, he lacks elite speed. The Texans are seemingly intent on adding someone for Marks to compete with, though neither Williams nor Evans would be more than a deep-league bench stash if one is signed and manages to beat out the rookie.

Perine last played for the Bengals in 2022, catching 38 passes for 287 yards and four scores. Joe Mixon still managed 1,255 yards from scrimmage that season despite missing three games. Assuming Perine plays a bit less than he did in 2022, there should still be plenty of meat left on the bone for Chase Brown to push for RB1 status. As Dehner Jr. notes, the Bengals don’t want Brown playing every snap of every game like he did down the stretch last year. That won’t happen in 2025, but Cincy’s light investments in competition for Brown bode well for his odds of staying hot in his third season. The Bengals’ only addition at running back via the draft was Tahj Brooks in the sixth round.

Hill suffered a torn ACL in Week 5 against the Ravens and missed the remainder of the season. We don’t have a current update on his status, but a normal timeline would probably have him set to return sometime in camp or September. He’s a likely PUP candidate. Hill will make $12.6 million in 2026. Frankly, it’s a little surprising that this option was picked up considering how little Hill did right in 2022 and 2023 as he was shuttled back-and-forth between corner and safety. Hill was having a career season before the injury in 2024, finishing with a 68.0 PFF coverage grade.

The Bengals exited the draft without adding receiver help, and Andrei Iosivas was more reliable than spectacular in his second season. Dehner Jr. notes that Burton went through “two evictions, trouble with the law, missed meetings, missed practices, being left off a road trip and healthy scratches” and said Burton is “lucky to even have this opportunity.” The 2024 third-rounder was seen in the building all week during draft weekend and this is likely a make-or-break year for him. He’s not a must-hold in dynasty at this point, but he retains upside.

The son of the longtime New York Giants tight end, Cross III (6’1/285) arrived on campus in 2019 and spent three seasons starting for the Irish as a pugnacious, undersized three tech. He emerged as a force to be reckoned with in 2023, recording an eye-popping 66 tackles and 39 pressures with a phenomenal 90th percentile defensive grade en route to being named Second Team All-American. Cross III entered 2024 as a potential Day 2 selection, but he failed to capitalize on that momentum, as his production dropped to a 71st percentile defensive grade with his pressure and stop totals being cut in half despite playing the same amount of reps. While quick with active and loaded hands, Cross III stalls out when latched onto by blockers and gets washed out in run defense. Cross III is squat and light for three tech work at the NFL level, but his high motor and NFL bloodline means he will likely get a shot to make it in the pros. Joining former DC Al Golden in Cincinnati probably won’t hurt his odds of making the roster.

McLaughlin (6’4/304) spent time at Alabama and Ohio State. He transferred to OSU for the 2024 season and started 34 collegiate games at center, including 10 for the Buckeyes in 2024. He is extremely quick off the ball, and shows a high motor, especially in the run game. As a run blocker, McLaughlin is consistent with his hands and aggressive at the point of attack. As a pulling guard, he’s fluid with his hips and well-balanced. He does play high at times, which causes him to lose leverage, and some of that lower body strength. As a pass blocker, McLaughlin is quick at the line of scrimmage, posting a 74.1 overall PFF grade. He allowed just one sack throughout his career, and played over 1,800 snaps. McLaughlin also missed Ohio State‘s playoff run because of a torn Achilles he suffered in November. McLaughlin shows plenty of potential at the pivot, but the Achilles injury likely cost him a shot to get drafted.