Former Giants DB Curtis Riley visits Bengals but signs with Raiders

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was looking to add another member of his secondary from the Giants.

DB Curtis Riley visited the Bengals on Thursday, possibly hoping with a reunion with Anamuro, who was his position coach in 2018.

However, Riley just agreed to a deal with the Raiders, so this relationship was short lived.

Riley was an undrafted free agent signed by the Titans as a cornerback, and had to compete with B.W. Webb for playing time. But after only one accrued season in the NFL, he earned the starting free safety job in New York. In 2018 he had 75 combined tackles and four interceptions.

It’s unclear at this point how Riley would have fit in with the Bengals if we were to be signed. He wouldn’t supplant current FS Jessie Bates or SS Shawn Williams, even if Anamuro was so inclined to play Riley in a spot where he has no experience.

Riley made sense as a backup, where he would have to compete with Brandon Wilson for the number two spot at FS. Though Wilson has impressed on special teams and earned a one-year deal this offseason, he has seen limited playing time on defense.

Alas, if the Bengals want more safety depth, they’ll have to find it elsewhere.