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Best available NFL free agent cornerbacks the Bengals could target if DJ Turner misses significant time
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- Best available NFL free agent cornerbacks the Bengals could target if DJ Turner misses significant time
The Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2 for the first time since 2021, when they won the AFC Championship Game and went to their third Super Bowl berth in franchise history.
Unfortunately, they may have lost cornerback DJ Turner, who suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter against the Titans on Sunday.
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The Bengals came into the 2026 season dangerously thin at the position, opting to focus on safety and the defensive line. If Turner does miss some time, it's unlikely they'll be able to just absorb the injury and move forward with the next man up.
So, here are some free agent corners the Bengals could bring in for a workout before they head to Spain for their Week 9 game against the Falcons.
Jeff Okudah
Former Buckeye standout Jeff Okudah could be an interesting option for the Bengals. He was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, but he struggled to live up to that draft position, largely because of injuries and inconsistent play. He most recently played for the Vikings, appearing in six games in 2025 before multiple concussions landed him on IR.
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The 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback has the size and speed to play on the outside, and he could be looking to prove he can put it all together on the field. He's relatively young, and the Bengals could do worse if they need urgent help.
Adoree' Jackson
Jackson could be one of the more realistic options for the Bengals to reinforce the secondary. The former first-round pick spent the '25 season with the Eagles, starting 10 games in which he recorded 55 tackles, 11 passes defended, and an interception.
Previously a member of the Titans and Giants, Jackson has experience at outside corner and has the athleticism to match up with some of the league's better wide receivers. Despite being 31, he has a better recent track record than many younger corners still available.
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Marshon Lattimore
The 11th-overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2017 NFL Draft, Lattimore would bring a wealth of experience to the Bengals defense, though there hasn't been much reported on him since he appeared in 11 games last season in Washington before suffering a torn ACL. Even before the injury, it was clear that the 30-year-old Lattimore was well past his prime, earning a career-low 53.2 PFF grade before the injury.
Even so, you won't find many free agent cornerbacks out there with his experience and talent. Might be time to give him a call and see how his rehab is going.
Artie Burns
Former Steelers first-round pick Artie Burns is another veteran cornerback available on the market who could draw interest from Cincinnati. The 31-year-old has appeared in 90 career games with 39 starts and has spent time in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Seattle before he was signed by the Dolphins in 2025.
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Burns tore his ACL during training camp last summer, which ended his season before it began, which means he hasn't seen a snap since the 2024 season. He does have experience in the slot and on the outside, but there are younger and more reliable options.
Mike Hilton
The former Bengals cornerback is still a free agent after spending the 2025 season on the Colts' practice squad. Hilton would offer the Bengals familiarity, but there's been little mention of him since last season, and it's possible the 32-year-old cornerback isn't considering a return to the NFL.
But if he is, the Bengals should give Hilton a call. He may be well past his prime, but there aren't many guys out there who can come in and have at least a decent feel for the team's defensive scheme.
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Jalyn Armour-Davis
The former Ravens and Titans corner could be an intriguing option for Cincinnati, especially considering his relatively young age and recent starting experience. The 27-year-old former Alabama standout started 10 games for the Titans in 2025 before suffering a torn Achilles in December. He has excellent size and speed for an outside cornerback, but injuries and inconsistent play have prevented him from establishing himself as a dependable NFL starter.
He reportedly is fully healthy and worked out for the Bills and Chargers in October, though he wasn't signed by either team.
Kyu Blu Kelly
This could be one of the more intriguing options for the Bengals, especially if Kelly is fully healthy. He's only 25 years old and enjoyed his most productive season in 2025 for the Raiders. He recorded 40 tackles, defended six passes, and intercepted 3 in 13 games before he suffered a ruptured Patellar tendon in December.
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Kelly worked out for the Falcons in September, which suggests he has recovered from his injury, but he remains unsigned. Kelly, a former fifth-round pick by the Ravens out of Stanford, could be a solid addition if he's fully healthy.
Trevon Diggs
Former Cowboys All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs is on the Seahawks' practice squad and could be signed to the Bengals' active roster should they go that route. He led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021, but struggled with injuries and some inconsistent play in recent years, ultimately leading to his departure from Dallas. At only 28, Diggs still possesses ball skills and the experience to contribute on the outside for the Bengals should they lose Turner for any extended period of time.
His aggressive play style sets him up to occasionally give up big plays, and his injury history is a bit of a concern, but he could be looking to prove he still belongs in the league and get a fresh start.
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Marco Wilson
A familiar face could be an option for the Bengals. Wilson is currently on the Panthers' practice squad and was a member of the Bengals through parts of the '24 and '25 seasons before he signed with the Dolphins in free agency. Miami released him before the regular season, and he eventually landed on Carolina's practice squad.
The 27-year-old cornerback has 37 career starts in his career, and his familiarity with Cincinnati could make him a potential target if Turner's injury forces the Bengals to look for outside help.
Tre'Davious White
Another former All-Pro and another practice squad target, White is currently on the Bills' practice squad. The 31-year-old veteran was once one of the league's top corners, leading the league in interceptions in 2019. He has gone through some serious knee and Achilles injuries, but still started 16 games for the Bills in 2025, recording 40 tackles, 10 passes defended, and an interception.
He's not who he once was, but he could be a dependable option for Cincinnati, which also has familiarity with AFC competition in the regular and postseason.
