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UPDATE
The Bengals have confirmed Ayers' visit:
NEWS: Unrestricted Free Agent DE Robert Ayers visited the #Bengals today
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 19, 2014
That means he's made the rounds in Cincinnati around the Bengals' facilities and now has departed. Weather he was offered a contract or not is unknown, and he'll probably be taking other visits.
He's arguably the best DE left on the market. Bears DE Corey Wootton and Cowboys OLB/DE Anthony Spencer have generated more national attention, but both of them are also coming off season-ending injuries in 2013.
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The Cincinnati Bengals will almost certainly be adding a defensive end in free agency or the NFL Draft this offseason. After Michael Johnson left, there are only three DEs on the roster who played last year. Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt and Carlos Dunlap are a solid foundation, but Robert Geathers missed nearly the entire season and Dontay Moch was just claimed off waivers.
With the draft still two months away, the Bengals will probably kick the tires on several veteran lineman, including Denver Broncos free agent Robert Ayers:
Robert Ayers will visit the Bengals on Tuesday
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 17, 2014
Free agent DE Robert Ayers will visit the Bengals tomorrow, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 17, 2014
A former first-round pick out of Tennessee, Ayers started in 27 of a possible 72 games for the Broncos, including three last season. He also registered a career-high 5.5 sacks last season along with 29 total tackles.
He would be a nice backup behind Dunlap and Hunt or Gilberry. The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have also expressed interest in Ayers. Pro Football Focus gave him a +8.1 grade, and was their 14th-best DE that played in at least 25% of his team's snaps.