Texas guard Trey Hopkins was literally one of the big gets (6-3, 307) for the Bengals in college free agency.
In the wake of Saturday's drafting of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, the Bengals surprised no one Monday when they released last year's backup.
Josh Johnson never threw a pass in mop-up roles and finished the season with one fewer pass than wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.
For the first time since Andy Dalton became the Bengals quarterback in 2011, all signs point to the Bengals keeping three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster with Jason Campbell No. 2 and McCarron No. 3.
The Bengals also signed 10 undrafted free agents in a crop headed by Texas guard Trey Hopkins and Stanford tight end-fullback-H-back Ryan Hewitt.
The list:
James Davidson, OLB, Texas-EL Paso 6-3 242: Rush defensive end in college who has enough athleticism and length to try and convert to outside backer…Ran 4.62 seconds at his pro day….Hometown is Huntsville, Texas.
Curt Feigt G-T, West Virginia 6-6, 307: Native of Berlin, Germany… played club with "USA Football" before moving to US in 2007…Married to former WVU heptathlete…NFL size and strength…Two-year starter at RT…Last year Honorable Mention all-Big 12…
Daniel France, G, Michigan State 6-5 300: North Royalton, Ohio product...Durable, smart, tough…36 starts in three seasons coming off his first year at RG…Ranked second on team with 64.5 knockdowns…had career-high nine knockdowns in win at Nebraska and was named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week against Michigan….
Ryan Hewitt, TE, Stanford 6-4, 246: Already comes in as versatile after playing tight end, fullback, and H-Back in pro offense….Good hands, smart route runner… Has been compared to former Cowboy Moose Johnston…Caught 34 balls and five TDs from Andrew Luck as sophomore in 2011….Finished career with 59 catches…Hometown is Denver, Colo.
Trey Hopkins, G, Texas 6-3 307: First time since 1937 Longhorns had no one drafted…Hopkins had a lot of interest after draft and there are indications he's highest paid of Bengals CFAs…NFL size…5.2 40 doesn't make him a burner, but had 28 reps of 225 pounds in bench press…After starting at right tackle in 2011, moved to left guard where he was All-Big 12 as senior in 2013…Hometown is Galena Park, Texas
Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State 5-10 211: Played on same side with Bengals No. 1 pick CB Darqueze Dennard at CB for nation's top defense…Known for his explosive tackling and willingness to hit…Had 10 tackles in Big 10 championship game win over Ohio State…58 tackles and two interceptions…Good ball skills on a fundamentally sound college defense…Polished…Hometown is Indianapolis, Ind.
Colin Lockett, WR, San Diego State 5-11 198: Had a 24.7-yard average on 30 kick returns this season to add to his school-record kick return yards…Had more than 4,300 all-purpose yards and three kick return TDs…caught 49 balls for 696 yards and five TDs…Hometown is Diamond Bar, Calif.
Alex Neutz, WR, Buffalo 6-3, 214: Highly recommended by Bengals consultant and UB Hall-of-Famer Jim McNally…Rangy, reliable good hands...Similarities to former Bengals WR Kevin Walter…Ran a 4.58 40…Scouts say deceptively tall and fast…Caught 61 balls for 1,024 yards and 12 TDs this past season in an offense that struggled to throw…Hometown is Grand Island, N.Y.
Nikita Whitlock, FB, Wake Forest 5-10 251: One of the great competitors in college football…Despite his size, he had 82 tackles and nine sacks as a nose tackle… 19 tackles for loss were tied for the eighth-most nationally…. Three pass breakups…two forced fumbles….Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons can't wait to get hold of an offensive player that can tackle…blocked first two kicks of his career in '13…Prepared for conversion to FB with former Bengals RB Garrison Hearst…Hometown is Wylie, Texas
James Wilder Jr., RB, Florida State 6-3, 232: Big, strong back…Not a lot of speed, but is physical and agile….Averaged 4.6 yards per carry on a little more 200 college carries before coming out as a junior… had 81 carries for 563 yards and eight touchdowns for national champs this season…Had some scrapes with the law and once pleaded no contest to a charge of resisting an officer without violence….Father James Wilder rushed for all but 51 of his 6,000 NFL yards in nine seasons with Tampa…Hometown is Tampa, Fla.
