Bengals Sign 12 College Free Agents, Four Draft Picks This Week

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Cincinnati Bengals strengthened their roster by signing 12 college free agents and four draft picks earlier this week. The transactions come as the team prepares for training camp this summer.

On May 9, 2025, the Bengals announced the signings of 12 undrafted players, including defensive tackle Dante Barnett from Dickinson College, who is participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The complete list of signees includes:

— DT Dante Barnett (6-1, 275, Birmingham, England)

— HB Quali Conley (5-10, 211, Fresno, Calif.)

— DT Howard Cross III (6-1, 285, Paramus, N.J.)

— OT Caleb Etienne (6-7, 329, New Orleans, La.)

— DT Eric Gregory (6-3, 319, Memphis, Tenn.)

— CB Bralyn Lux (5-10, 180, San Jose, Calif.)

— WR Jamoi Mayes (5-10, 206, Griffin, Ga.)

— C Seth McLaughlin (6-4, 304, Buford, Ga.)

— WR Jordan Moore (6-0, 191, Sykesville, Md.)

— WR Rashod Owens (6-2, 218, San Antonio, Texas)

— TE Kole Taylor (6-7, 250, Grand Junction, Colo.)

— QB Payton Thorne (6-2, 207, Naperville, Ill.)

— LS William Wagner (6-2, 240, Alpharetta, Ga.)

Additionally, four of the Bengals’ draft picks signed their rookie contracts on May 8. They are:

— G Dylan Fairchild (6-5, 318, University of Georgia)

— LB Barrett Carter (6-0, 231, Clemson University)

— OT Jalen Rivers (6-6, 319, University of Miami)

— HB Tahj Brooks (5-9, 220, Texas Tech University)

Fairchild, a third-round pick, started all 14 games for the Bulldogs and earned All-America honors. Carter, the fourth-round pick, was a team captain and All-ACC selection at Clemson. Rivers was named second-team All-ACC and helped lead his team to top offensive stats, while Brooks set Texas Tech records during his college career.

With these signings, only first-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round pick Demetrius Knight remain unsigned from the Bengals’ draft class.