According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, the Bengals have tendered restricted free agents WR Andrew Hawkins, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, and LB Vincent Rey.
Per the rules regarding restricted free agents, the Bengals tendered all three players at the “low” level, which carries a $1.431 million salary for next season.
If another team signs one of these players to an offer sheet, and the Bengals decline to match, the Bengals would receive a draft pick in the round the player was originally drafted in.
All three players were signed as undrafted free agents, therefore Cincinnati would not receive any draft picks if they signed an offer sheet with another team and the Bengals declined to match.
Hawkins, 27, has flashed some ability during three seasons with the Bengals. Hawkins began the year on injured reserve with an ankle injury, but managed to return and finish the season with 12 receptions for 199 yards receiving over the course of eight games.
Rey, 26, is coming off of his best season in the league in which he produced 57 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — a forced fumble and a recovery. This guy could be worth signing away from the Bengals since he was an undrafted out of Duke.
Sanzenbacher, 25, has spent the last two seasons with the Bengals after signing with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He totaled 10 receptions for 61 yards receiving over the course of six games for Cincinnati.
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