Three free agents Cincinnati Bengals should target

Free agency is just around the corner as the new league year begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

With $48.55 million in cap space, the Bengals are in a great position to be as active as they want to be.

Here are three free agents Cincinnati should target.

Defensive tackle D.J. Reader

Reader has led the Bengals' defense for the past four years, but his contract expired at the end of the 2023 season. Cincinnati may opt to get younger at the position, as Reader will turn 30 this summer, but he has proven still to be one of the better run defenders in the league.

He is expected to receive a three-year, $44.75 million contract ($14.9M per year), according to Spotrac. However, he may be willing to take a hometown discount with a healthy Joe Burrow returning to the lineup and ready to compete for another Super Bowl in 2024.

Offensive tackle Mike Onwenu

It seems very likely that offensive tackle Jonah Williams will be headed elsewhere in free agency after being forced to the right side following the signing of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason. He even requested a trade from the team but later rescinded it.

Onwenu could be the answer since he will be a free agent after the Patriots decided to transition tag safety Kyle Dugger instead. The 26-year-old is a versatile offensive lineman, but his primary position is right tackle and he proved that by allowing just three sacks last season.

Tight end Hayden Hurst

Many Bengals fans hope for this reunion next week. Hurst left Cincinnati following the 2022 season to join the Panthers on a three-year deal. However, Carolina informed the 30-year-old on Tuesday that he would be released at the beginning of the new league year.

Hurst quickly became Burrow's security blanket two seasons ago, posting 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns. With a clear need at tight end, bringing back Hurst on a cheap deal feels like a no-brainer for the Bengals.