ESPN.com - Maybin's chances in Cincy

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Friday, January 25, 2013
Maybin's chances in Cincy

By Tim Kavanagh

It's the offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals, which means their annual tradition of signing former first-round picks off the market has begun, and the first move this time around is inking former Buffalo Bills first-round pick Aaron Maybin, who did not pan out there or with the Jets. So how does he fit in to the team's plans?

The Bengals are potentially losing some key veterans to free agency this offseason, whether one is considering the DE position or OLB. It can't hurt to let Maybin have another shot -- giving an unwanted player another shot worked out well with Vontaze Burfict in 2012. ESPN AFC North blogger Jamison Hensley weighs in:

Jamison Hensley

There's no risk involved in the Bengals signing Maybin

"The Bengals have a need for linebackers with two outside ones (Thomas Howard and Manny Lawson) becoming unrestricted free agents. This falls in line with what Cincinnati did last season. The Bengals signed six former first-round picks: cornerbacks Adam Jones and Jason Allen, safety Reggie Nelson, defensive lineman Jamaal Anderson and defensive end Derrick Harvey. Of that group, only Jones and Nelson became impact players. Based on Maybin's history, I suspect he'll follow the path of Harvey, who failed to make the regular-season roster."