Bengals Unlikely To Target RB Darren McFadden In Free Agency?

Marc Sessler of NFL.com suggests that impending free agent RB Darren McFadden would be a great fit in Cincinnati, but notes that an agent at the NFL Scouting Combine told NFL.com that “it won’t happen.”

• Sessler believes that the Bengals would be a natural fit because McFadden enjoyed his best season under Hue Jackson who is now the new Offensive Coordinator in Cincinnati.

The notoriously injury-prone back is expected to test the market, as questions remain whether Oakland wants to bring McFadden back.  The Raiders’ two top running back from last season –McFadden and Rashad Jennings –– will both be free agents next week.

The Bengals do appear strong at the running back position, with solid, if unspectacular, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard who showed his explosive ability during his rookie season. The Bengals do, however, have significant cap space, currently projected at roughly $30 million for the 2014 season according to OverTheCap.com.

The Raiders have an abundance of cap space, currently projected at more than $66 million for 2014, but they could be ready to move on from McFadden.  GM Reggie McKenzie has several important decisions to make regarding the team’s most important free agents, most notably DE Lamarr Houston and OT Jared Veldheer.

We have McFadden and Jennings both included in our Top 100 Free Agents List.