Every year, the NFL Draft tells only part of the story. For the Cincinnati Bengals, the real intrigue often begins after the final pick is announced—when the undrafted free agents (UDFAs) get their shot. And in 2026, the Bengals have assembled a class that could quietly make some noise.
Coming off a busy offseason that saw the team aggressively bolster its defense through free agency—adding pass rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and cornerback Kyle Dugger, plus the blockbuster trade for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence—the Bengals used the draft to keep that momentum going. They selected defensive talents like Cashius Howell, Tacario Davis, and Landon Robinson, while also addressing the offense with offensive linemen Connor Lew and Brian Parker II, a big-bodied receiver with sub-4.5 speed in Colbie Young, and a seventh-round steal at tight end in Jack Endries from Texas.
But the story doesn't end there. The Bengals have reportedly signed an intriguing group of UDFAs who, while facing long odds to crack the 53-man roster, will likely form the backbone of the practice squad. And as any Bengals fan knows, practice squad players often get their moment in the spotlight during the grind of the season.
One name that immediately stands out is linebacker Jack Dingle, a local product from the University of Cincinnati. The Bengals surprisingly didn't draft a linebacker this year, but they moved quickly to address the room with Dingle, a 6'4", 232-pound three-year starter for the Bearcats. What makes him particularly interesting isn't just his college production—60 tackles, 18 pressures, and 3 sacks last season—but his athletic profile. Dingle posted a 9.82 Relative Athletic Score (RAS), thanks to a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. He also brings extensive special teams experience and flashed as a pass rusher when called upon. While he faces an uphill battle against veterans like Shaka Heyward and Joe Giles-Harris at the back end of the linebacker depth chart, at the very least, he's the kind of athletic, high-motor player teams love to stash on the practice squad.
As the Bengals look to build depth and find hidden gems, keep an eye on this UDFA class. In the NFL, it's not always about where you start—it's about what you do when you get your chance.