Ranking Cincinnati Bengals' Best Remaining Free-Agency Options

The Cincinnati Bengals seem about done with this year's free-agent market. 

To date, the team has filled most of its needs, meaning coach Marvin Lewis and the front office can set their sights on the upcoming draft and form a plan of attack.

Offensive line was a question mark, so the team re-signed Clint Boling and Eric Winston, meaning a starting guard and swing-tackle spot are secure. Linebacker was also a focal point, so the team re-signed Rey Maualuga, brought on A.J. Hawk and hit Emmanuel Lamur with a tender.

Defensive line? It was addressed, too, thanks to Sunday's reunion with Michael Johnson, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The point is, the Bengals have just about shored up the necessary areas, even reaching an agreement with kicker Mike Nugent.

Before the Bengals wave sayonara to free agency, though, the coaching staff may look to further upgrade in the defensive trenches and add another weapon on the offensive side of things.

Within, let's take a look at a few names they may target based on value in terms of productivity and from a financial standpoint, as well as overarching team need.

6. Anthony Collins, OT

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Offensive tackle is one of the Cincinnati Bengals' bigger perceived needs in the opening rounds of the upcoming draft.

The notion makes sense with Andre Smith coming back from a season-ending injury and 33-year-old Andrew Whitworth getting up there in age (despite a superb season last year).

That deals more with the long-term outlook, though, and if the Bengals want to bring back another former player for at least a camp tryout, Anthony Collins is the guy.

Like the aforementioned Michael Johnson, Collins signed on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason after years as a backup swing tackle with promising spot starts. He turned out to be a colossal bust, starting just 10 games and ranking as the No. 63 tackle in the league at Pro Football Focus.

The mentioned signing of Eric Winston makes this a doubtful transaction, but then again, if the Bengals want preseason depth along the line and a potential backup who makes the final roster, it couldn't hurt to give the 29-year-old lineman a look with his market so ruined.

5. Pat Sims, DT

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Let's keep the reunion tour rolling right along.

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Pat Sims has spent the last two seasons with the Oakland Raiders after five productive, rotational campaigns in the Queen City. 

Sims is still a strong run-stuffing presence when used in the capacity, meaning he holds some value for a team on the hunt for further depth on the interior of the line.

The positives with Sims are many. He's going to have a cheap asking price. He's a known commodity and producer in Cincinnati's scheme. He upgrades what should be a platoon look next to Geno Atkins.

Cincinnati may choose to go young with a rookie in this area, but if the team wants to make another transaction on the open market, it doesn't get much more cost-effective than Sims.

4. James Casey, TE

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By far the best free-agency fit for the Cincinnati Bengals at tight end, James Casey is the owner of a soft market this offseason.

Casey never exploded with either the Houston Texans or Philadelphia Eagles, but he presents a strong semblance of versatility and an ability to act as an H-back, which makes him like Ryan Hewitt.

As ESPN's Adam Caplan pointed out last month, the Bengals were hot on Casey's trail:

"

Next stops on the James Casey free agency tour visits express: #Bengals, #Redskins, #Jaguars.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 26, 2015"

At this point, Casey won't be an expensive option. If the Bengals would prefer to grab an NFL veteran as Tyler Eifert's backup, then Casey is perhaps the lone plausible name on the market at this point.

If not, the draft is the way to go. Regardless, keep a close eye on Casey.

3. Randy Starks, DT

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Randy Starks, the odd man out once the Miami Dolphins reeled Ndamukong Suh to town, would fit well in Cincinnati as a rotational piece if the coaching staff is eager to beef up the depth behind the starters.

Starks' rush defense was downright miserable last season, but he's a solid pass-rushing tackle from the interior who will apply reliable pressure whenever on the field.

This trait helped him rank as the No. 42 tackle in the league last year at Pro Football Focus.

The price tag on Starks might be a bit steeper than Cincinnati is willing to fork over, even more so if he fancies himself still in his prime and seeks one more big contract—not to mention a starting gig.

Still, if the price is right, Starks is a good way to help improve a line that struggled to rush passers last season and is short-term insurance on the chance Geno Atkins is still not back to his normal self next year.

2. C.J. Mosley, DT

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The Cincinnati Bengals may be in a position to land one of the league's most underrated players from a season ago.

C.J. Mosley is 31 years old, but he put on a clinic last season with the Detroit Lions, scoring positive grades in both pass-rushing and run-stuffing categories while ranking as the No. 26 defensive tackle in the league at Pro Football Focus.

For perspective's sake, Domata Peko ranked No. 80 on the same list.

There has been little to no news on Mosley, either, as Kyle Meinke of MLive Media Group points out:

"

I'm told the Lions are not currently talking to C.J. Mosley about a return http://t.co/0gb3921Nzg

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) March 12, 2015"

Mosley won't be a significant financial investment by any means, so Cincinnati may enter his market at some point with a cheap offer in the hopes of at least acquiring a strong rotational contributor.

1. Vince Wilfork, DT

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Yes, this seems like a pipe dream.

Vince Wilfork is 33 years old and on the market after a split from the New England Patriots. His agent, Kennard McGuire, says it will take his client some time to figure out his next destination.

"There are about five or six other teams, mostly AFC teams, couple in the NFC, that are looking to add a player of Vince's magnitude," McGuire said, per ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli. "Vince is going to take his time."

Right now, there are no indications the Cincinnati Bengals are one of those teams—but it couldn't hurt to try.

Wilfork's a shell of his former self and spent most of last season at defensive end rather than tackle in New England's scheme, ranking as the No. 13 3-4 end in the league at Pro Football Focus.

In Cincinnati, he'd slot in next to Geno Atkins and swallow up run-blockers at an effective rate.

It's a long shot, even more so with New England perhaps still in the running, but Wilfork would be an outstanding value and fit.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of March 15 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus.