3 waiver claim candidates for the Bengals during final cuts

NFL teams must cut their rosters to the 53-man limit on Sunday evening. While the Cincinnati Bengals have a roster that is mostly set, they could look to make a waiver claim at a couple of different positions on the back end of the roster.

Here is a look at three potential cut candidates for the Bengals to target.

Williams was a sixth-round draft selection during the 2025 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have arguably the best offensive tackle room in the entire league. They have entrenched starters Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson returning again this season.

The backup offensive tackle spots are currently projected to be former Bengals Fred Johnson and third-round pick Markel Bell. This will likely leave Williams off the 53-man roster.

The former Texas Longhorn is still only 22 years old. Through two preseason games, he has 77.6 pass blocking and 64.6 run blocking grades. While he has mostly played right tackle, he has the athleticism and youth to continue growing into a more complete swing tackle option. This is the type of claim that could end up really paying off down the line.

Landon Robinson has been a standout throughout the preseason. Why not add another Navy player to the 53-man roster? Heidenreich is likely behind Travis Homer and Lew Nichols in the battle for the third running back spot on the roster in Pittsburgh. He had almost 1,000 yards receiving last year for Navy, has return ability, and would give the Bengals a higher-ceiling option behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine at running back. He had an impressive touchdown during the third and final preseason game for the Steelers on Thursday night.

I will toss this one in here for one of my co-hosts on Bengals & Brews, Greg Luther. Tracy has been listed as a potential surprise cut candidate for the New York Giants this off-season. Not long ago, he was the starter, but it has been a rough preseason for him. He whiffed on a block that ended up with Jaxson Dart taking a nasty hit that sent him to the medical tent during the first preseason game. He then fumbled during the second preseason game. With the addition of Najee Harris recently, it now makes it at least a possibility that Tracy ends up being let go this weekend.

The wide receiver-turned-running back in college has produced fairly well over his first couple of seasons in the NFL. He had 839 rushing yards, 284 receiving yards, and ran for 4.4 yards per carry during his 2024 rookie season. Even with the addition of Cam Skattebo in 2025, Tracy finished the year with 740 rushing yards, 288 receiving yards, and ran for 4.2 yards per carry. He has 10 total touchdowns during his first two seasons in the league. If he hits the waiver wire, I would envision several teams putting in a claim for him.