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The Cincinnati Bengals have snatched up two undrafted free agents by way of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Kansas Jayhawks.
The first player the Bengals signed was Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman.
Ohio State punter Drue Chrisman is signing with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) May 1, 2021
Chrisman was a solid punter in Columbus, coming in second in yards per punt in the Big Ten in each of the last two years.
While the Bengals already have an established punter in Kevin Huber, the Bengals are bringing in an undrafted rookie. Huber is 35 years old and on a one-year deal. The Bengals might be trying to stash Chrisman on their practice squad for a year and then move on from Huber after 2021.
After drafting Buckeyes in several of the most recent drafts, they have not gone to the in-state pipeline in the last two drafts. Chrisman is the first Ohio State rookie they have acquired since drafting Michael Jordan in 2019.
The Bengals also signed Kansas running back Pooka Williams.
Former Kansas RB Pooka Williams Jr. is signing with the #Bengals, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 1, 2021
Williams is a true junior who had 1,000+ yards in his first two seasons. He slid down draft boards due to off the field issues and opting out of 2020 four games into the season. He gives the Bengals some return abilities, which they may be looking for after moving on from Alex Erickson this offseason.
As a running back, Williams is small and quick, which is something that their current stable doesn’t have with Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, Trayveon Williams, and Chris Evans.
As the Bengals wrap up a successful draft, they now have two free agents who will be there in training camp. Will they be the next undrafted underdogs that carve out a living in the NFL?