The Cincinnati Bengals continue to make moves in the undrafted free agent market, and this is a big one.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals have landed Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin. Fowler noted that McLaughlin was ESPN’s best-remaining player once the NFL Draft ended, so this is essentially the Bengals getting an extra draft pick after trading away their 7th-rounder to the Chicago Bears for running back Khalil Herbert.

The 6-foot-4, 304-pound McLaughlin is a Georgia native who began his career with the Alabama Crimson Tide before entering the transfer portal and joining the Buckeyes for the 2024 season.

Things got off to a great start for McLaughlin, who ended up playing in 10 games for the national champs while winning the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top center, while earning a 70.7 PFF grade.

Sadly, McLaughlin’s season ended prematurely due to a torn Achilles suffered in practice. That effectively nuked his NFL Draft prospects, as he ended up going undrafted, despite being projected to be selected.

Despite the injury, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gave McLaughlin a Round 5 projection.

Highly intelligent center-only prospect coming off of an Achilles tear. McLaughlin has his itinerary fully mapped pre-snap but makes quick alterations when needed. He’s gritty with good core strength. He has the range and radar to pull effectively and operates with timing on work-up blocks. He lacks ideal knock-back pop at the point and his block sustain could take a small downturn against NFL power. He’s technically sound in protection but a lack of length and range causes it to get leaky when rushers find his edge. His injury status could hurt his draft slotting, but he has the makeup and consistency to make it in the league.

If McLaughlin is healthy, he looks like someone who will make a strong push for one of the final roster spots along the interior offensive line.

Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin, No. 1 on ESPN’s best available players list post-draft, is signing an undrafted free agent deal with the #Bengals, per his agency @_SportsTrust

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 26, 2025