Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Tracker: An Update on Their Cap Space

We don't usually associate the Cincinnati Bengals with being in really good shape—both for now and the future—but that seems to be the case this offseason.  

After surprising the NFL by winning nine games and earning a playoff bid in 2011, the Bengals enter the draft with a pair of first-round draft picks and the opportunity to further bolster an impressive young nucleus on either side of the football. 

While Cincinnati has taken a hit this offseason (the list of losses includes: Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker, Nate Livings, Mike McGlynn and Andre Caldwell), hope still abounds with Andy Dalton under center and A.J. Green streaking down the field eluding defenders.

Many teams are in the process of freeing up the cap space needed to sign their upcoming draft picks. The Bengals, however, have no such worry, as they currently stand at $20.242 million under the cap.  

And before Cincinnati fans go up in arms about the prospect of leaving so much money unspent, keep these variables in mind: the Bengals will have to pay two first-round picks this offseason, and—more importantly—under the NFL's new collective bargaining agreement, teams can roll over their unused salary cap from one offseason to the next.  That means Cincinnati could be a major player in next year's free agent market.

No matter what way you slice it, things are looking up for the Cincinnati Bengals.