3 Bengals Veterans Who Could Be Cut After the NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals are riding shotgun into next Thursday's NFL Draft. They hold the first pick in each round, which will allow them to expedite their hopeful process of building the next AFC powerhouse. Due to this, however, players currently on the Bengals will have to be shown the door in order to fit the rookies onto the roster.

With that in mind, here are three veterans on the Bengals who could be released following the NFL Draft.

3. Shawn Williams

The addition of Vonn Bell puts Shawn Williams' spot on the roster in danger. / Robert Reiners/Getty Images

The Bengals drastically overhauled their defensive backfield this offseason, with perhaps the biggest addition being former New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell. With this year's safety class being relatively deep, the Bengals can also opt to select one in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. If that's the case, veteran Shawn Williams could be handed his walking papers. Williams hasn't played well enough to earn a spot on the regular season roster, and considering he'd account for $400,000 in dead money and saves over $4 million in cap space, it's a decision the Bengals must consider.

2. Bobby Hart

Bobby Hart is an abysmal offensive tackle. / Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Bobby Hart once deemed himself "the greatest right tackle in the league" during his time with the New York Giants, but proved to be more of a subway turnstile than a blocker. After he was waived by the Giants, the Bengals made the dumb decision to give him a three-year, $16 million contract. And what do you know -- Hart showed he was still an atrocious offensive lineman. Luckily for the Bengals, they're in prime position to take a tackle like Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland in the second round. If they do, eating up Hart's $3 million in dead money is a no-brainer.

1. Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton is all but gone in Cincinnati. / Bobby Ellis/Getty Images

This is the most obvious cut for the Bengals. While Andy Dalton did lead them to numerous playoff appearances, his time in Cincy has run its course. With the team holding the first overall pick, they're fully expected to take Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow. The trade market for Dalton is low, considering he holds a $17.7 million cap hit and won't fetch quality draft capital. Since Dalton carries no dead money, outright releasing him will be easy for the Bengals.