Four running backs who could surprisingly be available for Bengals to add during roster cuts

The rules favor the passing game, and one of the NFL's best quarterbacks is on their roster, but the Cincinnati Bengals still have a desire for more talent at the running back position .

It was a minor shock that the club didn't select a tailback with one of their 10 picks in this year's NFL Draft. Their inaction leaves Zack Moss and Chase Brown atop the group with Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans behind them. UDFAs Noah Cain and Elijah Collins round out the room, but another proven veteran would be more than welcome.

It's well past the standard timeline of free agency, but plenty of notable names find themselves available on waivers and open for new teams during final cuts. The staff here at A to Z see plenty of running backs as potential cut candidates when that time comes. Here are four that should intrigue Cincinnati.

Carolina Panthers RB Miles Sanders

Perhaps the biggest name of this group, Sanders joined the likes of Vonn Bell and Hayden Hurst last year as promising veterans who mistakenly boarded a sinking ship in Charlotte. Sanders and the rest of the Panthers' offense fell flat in 2023, and the team just made Jonathon Brooks the highest-drafted running back from this year's draft. Cutting him loose now would be costly, but for the sake of getting the right personnel out there, it may be necessary.

"If Sanders is cut, the Panthers have to be willing to eat the substantial $7.49 million in dead cap space spread over the next two seasons. In 2024, the team could save around $200,000. What makes Sanders a surprising cut is if the Panthers wait until 2025, the team may save $5.225 million. But sometimes saying goodbye quickly is better than saving money." - Ian Kayanja of A to Z Carolina

It wasn't too long ago that Sanders was the lead back for the Philadelphia Eagles team that made the Super Bowl. Cincinnati could do much worse for a depth piece.

Chicago Bears RB Khalil Herbert

One of the first dominoes of free agency was D'Andre Swift landing a pricey deal from the Bears, which in turn put Herbert on the hot seat. Factor in Roschon Johnson's presence, and it's not looking like Herbert is long for the Windy City.

"Khalil Herbert seems to be the odd man out in the Bears backfield following the addition of D’Andre Swift. The dynamic free agent pickup took the majority of snaps with the first team during OTAs and minicamp with second-year back Roschon Johnson behind him in the pecking order." - Kole Noble of A to Z Chicago

Herbert's 4.9 yards per attempt and one career fumble through 364 career carries speaks to his efficiency. He may not be an asset in pass protection, but he'd be a quality insurance policy for Moss and Brown.

Green Bay Packers RB AJ Dillon

The fact that Dillon is still with the Packers is a bit surprising. His lack of interest on the free agent market made it easy for Green Bay to bring him back for practically pennies, which makes him even more expendable now that Josh Jacobs is making $12 million per year and third-round pick Marshawn Lloyd is in the building.

"The Packers didn't plan to keep Dillon this year in free agency, but his market was so slow that it allowed the team to bring him back on a four-year qualifying offer, an unusual CBA tool to get a player slightly above the minimum salary, when only counting the minimum against the cap." - Wendell Ferreira of A to Z Green Bay

Dillon's power running and pass blocking ability could make him a younger version of what Samaje Perine was for the Bengals' offense.

San Francisco 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell

Before Christian McCaffrey landed in the Bay Area, Mitchell was an 1,100-yard rusher as a rookie in Kyle Shanahan's offense. We haven't quite seen that player since 2021, which is why he's now on track to being out of the picture altogether.

"When healthy, Mitchell has served as a nice complement to McCaffrey and scored the decisive touchdown in the 49ers' NFC Championship Game comeback against the Lions. However, with no guaranteed money remaining on the final year of his contract and San Francisco adding three running backs this offseason — including trading two fifth-round picks to move up for Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of the draft — Mitchell could find himself in huge trouble if the new boys impress." - Nicholas McGee of A to Z San Francisco

It's entirely possible Mitchell has seen his best days with the 49ers, but there's more he can give to another team after carrying the ball just 149 times over the last two seasons. He'd immediately become one of the most talented ballcarriers in Cincinnati.

Related: Potential surprise cut candidates for all 32 NFL teams ahead of training camp