From last week: In this NE-DEN conference championship, here are two Patriots' UFAs who could be of interest to the Bengals: S Jaylinn Hawkins Edge K'Lavon Chaisson Also DEN iDL John Franklin-Myers, but due to age and other factors, I'm not sure there'll have much interest.

Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is on the list of five players from the national title game who have submitted written notice to the NFL that they are declaring for the NFL Draft, per ESPN sources. Cooper led Indiana in receiving yards this season with 937 yards.

Mock draft Monday

• Caleb Banks, DT, Florida • TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson • Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USC • Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State Four names that I believe have a lot to gain from the week of practices at the Senior Bowl.

Daron Payne on the possibility his time with the Commanders was ending: “I mean, I’m a hell of a football player. I’m sure I’ll have a job next year somewhere.” Details on why that somewhere, despite viable cap cut rationale, is likely staying put. open.substack.com/pub/lastmansta…

The Bills are like if the Bengals aggressively spent money, but poorly

Senior Bowl Day 1 standouts - National team: • Kansas State OL Sam Hecht • Georgia Tech iOL Keylan Rutledge • Texas Tech DL Lee Hunter • Iowa OL Gennings Dunker • Clemson ED TJ Parker • Tennessee DB Colton Hood • Baylor WR Josh Cameron • Penn State DL Dani Dennis-Sutton

Lol ok

Florida State DT Darrell Jackson Jr. has been added to the Senior Bowl roster, per source. After a standout week at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he will join the National Team for practice today in Mobile.

Sources: #Bengals WR Tee Higgins is being added to the Pro Bowl roster, replacing Ravens WR Zay Flowers. Despite missing two games, Higgins had 59 catches for 846 yards and 11 TDs — tied for second in the NFL.

iDL Caleb Banks, WR Malachi Fields & iOL James Brockermeyer are in a class of their own for the American team on Day 2. Each have been sensational in all phases of the evening session.

Senior Bowl Day 2 standouts - American team: • Mizzou ED Zion Young • Michigan ED Derrick Moore • Miami iOL James Brockermeyer • Cincy WR Cyrus Allen • Boston College OT Jude Bowry • Notre Dame WR Malachi Fields • Florida iDL Caleb Banks • Florida iOL Jake Slaughter •

First bullet point is great to hear if you're cincinnati

Receiving TD leaders vs single coverage over the last two years: 🐏 Davante Adams: 19 🐅 Ja'Marr Chase: 17 🐅 Tee Higgins: 17

The NFL informed clubs today it is projecting a 2026 salary cap in the range of $301.2 million to $305.7 million per club, per source. That would represent another significant jump from this year’s $279.2 million cap number, and nearly $100M than the $208.2M cap in 2022.

Our draft process has been completely in-line with how the Seahawks draft lately. They're one of the teams closest to us. 2022 Charles Cross - 81.8 Boye Mafe - 82.0 Abraham Lucas - 79.0 2023 Devon Witherspoon - 83.1 Jaxson Smith-Njigba - 83.1 Derick Hall - 84.7 Zach Charbonnet

With the NFL salary cap now reaching over $300M, Spotrac projects the #Bengals to have ~$54.6M in cap space 👀

That's 3x Pro Joe. 🔗: go.bengals.com/3Z7ItKp

Reds, 3B Eugenio Suárez reportedly agree to one-year deal, per multiple reports including MLB's Mark Feinsand.

First mock draft Monday of February