Former Bengals preseason star among players on the waiver wire Cincinnati needs to target after roster cuts

The dust is starting to settle around the NFL as roster cuts are in the books, but moves are still to be made within the next day.

Clubs have until 12pm ET Wednesday afternoon to place claims on players that were waived at the cutdown deadline. These players have yet to accrue four seasons of NFL experience, and the acquiring team would take on what remains of their contract.

The Cincinnati Bengals didn't make a waiver claim last year, but that's expected to change this tomorrow. Here are three players the Bengals need to put claims in for.

ED Raymond Johnson III

Recognize this name? If you followed the Bengals' 2023 preseason, you will.

Johnson stood out in a big way last year leading up to the regular season, posting two sacks and eight pressures in three games. He ended up on the Detroit Lions' practice squad after the Bengals waived him at final cuts. He didn't play a snap during the regular season or playoffs, and spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason.

The Bengals didn't need Johnson as much last year despite his impressive preseason production. Their need on the edge is much more pressing with Myles Murphy set to miss the first four weeks of the season . A reunion could be in the cards.

ED Andre Carter II

Putting in claims for multiple edge players may be necessary with just four on the active roster at the moment. Carter stands at 6-6 and nearly 260 pounds, making him the ideal size to play on the edge for the Bengals while Murphy is out.

Carter was a pre-draft darling in 2023 before a rough showing at the NFL Scouting Combine tanked his chances at getting drafted. The most recent tape of the former Army Black Knight is promising, though. He registered nine pressures and two sacks in the Minnesota Vikings' final two preseason games this month.

If it needs to be said, it would be odd for the Bengals to only have four edges on the Week 1 roster. Carter fits as a fifth option behind Cedric Johnson .

RB George Holani

With the Bengals keeping just three running backs on the initial roster following Chris Evans' season-ending injury , a fourth being added is a definite possibility. There are plenty of options now available to be claimed. Holani had arguably the best preseason out of all of them.

The Seattle Seahawks signed Holani, Boise State's fifth all-time leading rushing, as an undrafted free agent following this year's draft. He carried the ball 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He also met with the Bengals during the pre-draft process.

If the Bengals want to continue getting younger in the backfield, Holani stands out among the rest.

Related: Meet the Cincinnati Bengals' initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season