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.