UPDATE
Not even 24 hours after his release, Daniel Manning has a visit setup with the Bengals after being cut by the Texans:
Danieal Manning's first visit will b 2 Cincinnati on Tuesday and Wednesday.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) April 1, 2014
Manning was released by the Texans with a "failed physical" designation, so he may not be healthy enough to sign with a team right now. He could be a backup option for the Bengals if they don't draft a safety high in May's NFL Draft.
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The Bengals may want to target a safety early in this year's NFL Draft, but they may not need to if they can sign one in free agency. As of now, Reggie Nelson, Shawn Williams and George Iloka are the only safeties under contract for the 2014 season( we're not counting LB/S Taylor Mays).
The best safety on the market may be the man who just joined it after being cut from his previous team:
THIS JUST IN: The Texans have released safety Danieal Manning. (via @AdamSchefter) pic.twitter.com/vMB1H5ddaU
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 31, 2014
Manning can now be signed by any team and not affect their compensatory picks for 2015. The Bengals stand to get at least a 3rd and a 4th rounder for losing Anthony Collins and Michael Johnson in free agency, which has caused them to be reluctant to sign any free agent who didn't have his contract terminated this offseason.
Manning was due to make $4.5 million this season, and had been previously asked to take a pay cut. He played the last three seasons in Houston after playing his first five seasons in Chicago.
Last year, he started the first six games of the season for the Texans but suffered a season-ending fractured fibula, and had a meager -2.3 grade by Pro Football Focus. This, after a -4.2 grade in 2012 in 1,186 snaps.
He won't be a game-changer, but he would be great depth and the only veteran safety the Bengals would have to go with Nelson. Chris Crocker isn't going to be brought back, so having one more veteran DB would be a nice luxury.
And it just so happens that new Bengals DBs coach Vance Joseph coached Manning in Houston, so there could be the needed connection to get Manning in Cincinnati.