Paul Dehner Jr.

pdehnerjr@enquirer.com

Even prior to this past season, much discussion centered around the Bengals’ free-agent class of 2016. A large portion of core players were in the final season of their contracts, and now this team compiled over the last half decade faces the possibility of taking on a different look.

The Bengals enter the season with the eighth-highest amount of cap space available for 2016 at $36,573,157, according to overthecap.com.

Head coach Marvin Lewis offered optimism about the state of the 15 free agents (14 unrestricted) currently on the open market. Eight of the free agents were regular starters or played the majority of snaps on the 12-4 team.

“We’ve had more free agents in other years,” Lewis said. “When I looked, it wasn’t as many as I expected, so I do feel good about things. I think the core is here, I think positionally we’re in good shape.”

While meeting with players, Lewis made sure to keep the message of both sides feeling content with the outcome. In recent years, the Bengals saw players return for less money and even stay for cheaper because of organizational stability. The team hopes players realize life on the other side isn’t always ideal. Still, Lewis knows the depth of his roster and turnover with developing players in reserve roles exists as a safety net.

“The NFL system works,” Lewis said. “The message to players is, ‘Hopefully we can get you back here and you feel good about it. That we can work a deal out that you can feel good about and you can play for. If we can’t, and you feel like it’s better somewhere else, then the next guy is in place and hopefully he watched how you did it, and he’ll play his tail off and earn his opportunity.”

The Bengals would welcome all these free agents back at the right price, but what are the chances each player and the organization find the correct fit? They certainly can't keep everyone. Here’s all 15 Bengals free agents, listed in how we view the team's priority to re-sign.

Marvin Jones

Age: 25, four seasons

Stats: Career high 65 receptions for 816 yards. Added four touchdowns.

2015 snap percentage: 85 percent

2015 cap number: $701K

Outlook: Marvin Jones came off injury and proved among the most reliable receivers in football. He set career highs in yards and receptions. Considering the small sum of his rookie contract, Jones is about to enjoy a massive financial windfall. He’ll rank among the top three WR free agents in this class. Last year, each of the top three averaged $8M per year. A return won’t come cheap, especially considering how much new Browns coach Hue Jackson loves Jones. Add in Cleveland’s desperate need for receivers, significant cap space and close friend Andrew Hawkins already up there, and a battle could be on for his services. The Bengals have made a habit of shelling out large sums to retain their guys, but also won’t pay what they believe to be beyond value (see Tampa Bay and Michael Johnson).

Where do Bengals go for OC?

They said it: Paul Daugherty asked Hue Jackson on Beyond The Stripes which player - more than anyone else in this offense - has barely scratched the surface of his abilities. Jackson snapped off this answer: “Marvin Jones. Not even close. The guy is so talented. He has so much ability. We haven’t even touched how good he can be.”

Chance of return: 50 percent

George Iloka

Age: 25, four seasons

Stats: Finished with 47 tackles and an interception, missing four games due to injury. Three-year starter at safety.

2015 snap percentage: 59 percent

2015 cap number: $1.6M

Outlook: He will be one of the most sought-after free-agent safeties this year. Talks broke off between the two sides seeking an extension prior to the season, and now Iloka could hit the market. Shawn Williams is ready to start in his place, but with Reggie Nelson, 32, also a free agent, the Bengals need to hold onto one of the two. Since Iloka enters his prime, he makes the most sense, but the two must find a middle ground in negotiations. Mike Zimmer loved what Iloka did for pass defense in his time with Cincinnati, so I’d expect Minnesota to make a play and Iloka to be very responsive to any Vikings offers.

They said it: “Especially hurts for me this year because I don’t know what my future holds in terms of this organization,” Iloka said after the playoff loss, not exactly exuding optimism about a return. “These are my brothers I’ve been training, sweating, shedding blood with them. I just wish if this is my last year on the way out we could make history for this organization.”

Chance of return: 40 percent

Adam Jones

Age: 32, nine seasons

Stats: Career year, grading out as a top 10 corner, according to Pro Football Focus. Had three interceptions, 12 passes defensed and a forced fumble.

2015 snap percentage: 79 percent

2015 cap number: $2.6M

Outlook: The final defensive play of last season may have erased all the value on the open market Jones built in the previous 854 snaps. Jones enjoyed a career season and ranked among the best corners in football. Unfortunately for him, losing his cool against the Steelers could cost him some money as teams become reluctant to bring such unpredictability into their locker room. The Bengals, however, know what they have in Jones, embracing his intensity and leadership. I think the final personal foul penalty actually went a long way to assuring Jones stays in Cincinnati. The Bengals will make re-signing him a priority.

They said it: “I still have to take care of my family,” Jones said. “The window of contracts is only so small. I have to be smart whatever the decision is and wherever I go, but I still want to be here.”

Chance of return: 75 percent

Mohamed Sanu

Age: 26, four seasons

Stats: Coming off a season where he led the NFL in drops, Sanu caught 33 passes for 394 yards without a single drop in 2015. He also ran 10 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

2015 snap percentage: 61 percent

2015 cap number: $1.7M

Outlook: Sanu will enjoy a significant pay increase from his first free-agent contract. Entering the season, a popular thought was that the Bengals would have to choose between Sanu and Marvin Jones this offseason. Without a replacement receiver in place, signing both should become a higher priority. Considering how well Sanu played in the slot and versatility he provides offensively out of the backfield, the Bengals would be wise to find the money to keep him. They will start with trying to agree with Jones, but Sanu shouldn’t be far behind. At least one of the two absolutely must return.

They said it: “Just got to wait and see,” Sanu said. “It’s my first time hitting free agency, I don’t really know what’s going to happen. Do what’s best for me and my family. Take advantage of any opportunity I get. It’s a life-changing decision. Have to go through everything I can to see what’s best.”

Chance of return: 65 percent

Vincent Rey

Age: 28, five seasons

Stats: Led Bengals in tackles with 95, had a sack and one interception that clinched a victory against San Diego. Started first six games in Burfict's place.

2015 Snap percentage: 67 percent

2015 cap number: $3.1M

Outlook: This seems like a no-brainer. Rey wants to stay with the Bengals, and the Bengals love what he brings. He proved invaluable in the absence of Vontaze Burfict early in the season. He did a more than serviceable job taking over all the calls at MLB and - even when he wasn’t playing as much - returned to an important role on special teams. As special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons told me this year, if the Bengals had 53 Vinny Reys, “we’d win the Super Bowl.”

They said it: “In my opinion, I think this is the most talented roster in the NFL,” Rey said. “I’ve been here six years, I was an undrafted player. No one else wanted to draft me so the grass definitely isn’t always greener. I want to be here in Cincinnati where I believe we have the talent to win and coaches who put us in the right positions.”

Chance of return: 95 percent

Wallace Gilberry

Age: 31, eight seasons

Stats: Had 23 tackles, two sacks, one pass defensed and a forced fumble working from both inside and outside spots on the defensive line.

2015 snap percentage: 58 percent

2015 cap number: $2.1M

Outlook: An interesting case can be made for Gilberry. He’s been a core member of the defensive line rotation in recent years, including six sacks in 2013. Yet, the Bengals were overloaded with defensive linemen this year, including a Gilberry clone in fourth-round pick Marcus Hardison out of Arizona State. He can play inside at tackle and outside at end just as Gilberry does in a reserve role, and you don’t have to worry about tread on the tires. Gilberry is productive and one of the more popular members of the locker room, but that assures little. Cincinnati will probably attempt to bring Gilberry back, but only at their cost and terms.

They said it: Gilberry didn’t say much. In fact, he left the building Monday declining to speak with reporters.

Chance of return: 40 percent

Brandon Thompson

Age: 26, four seasons

Stats: Active in nine games, rotating with Pat Sims at the back of the defensive line rotation. Contributed eight tackles and half a sack.

2015 Snap percentage: 17 percent

2015 cap number: $795K

Outlook: An interesting case. Thompson’s lingered on the edge of breaking through each of the last three seasons. He’s been unable to forge consistent snaps in the rotation, spending almost half the season inactive this year. Doubt the Bengals would break the bank for him judging by his role this past season, but if others on the line don’t return, his value to them increases. Possibly another team sees his potential and makes an offer, but this one is up in the air from my angle.

Related: Thompson suffered torn ACL

Chance of return: 50 percent

Pat Sims

Age: 30, eight seasons

Stats: Contributed 16 tackles in a reserve role, active for only half the games as part of a rotation with defensive tackle Brandon Thompson

2015 snap percentage: 17 percent

2015 cap number: $665K

Outlook: Played effectively as a run-stopper in his small role. Wouldn’t be surprised if the 330-pounder worked out a similar one-year deal as last season.

They said it: “End of the day, I’m a free agent,” Sims said. “If they want me back they will get me back. If I got to go somewhere else, I’ll go somewhere else. But at the end of the day, I got to work.”

Chance of return: 75 percent

S Reggie Nelson

Age: 32, 9th season (six with Bengals)

Stats: Led Bengals and tied for NFL lead with career high eight interceptions, made first Pro Bowl. Had an interception in five consecutive games (Week 9-13).

2015 cap number: $4.8M

2015 Snap percentage: 97.1

Outlook: Nelson made an impressive argument to return to the Bengals. His nose for the football became a centerpiece of the Bengals' defense. The only problem is he’s 32, and the Bengals are ready for Shawn Williams to start. Investing in aging safeties rarely makes sound strategy. If Cincinnati can’t come to terms with George Iloka, however, they could look to a short-term deal with Nelson to play alongside Williams while they groom an eventual replacement. To be noted, coming to terms with Iloka is no sure thing.

Chance of return: 55 percent

LB Emmanuel Lamur

Age: 26, four seasons

Stats: Had 32 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble last year. Fourth on the team in special teams tackles, including a fumble recovery.

2015 cap number: $2.4M

2015 snap percentage: 31.3 percent

Outlook: Bengals will probably try to bring Lamur back, but don’t anticipate any major, long-term offers. He’s a fantastic athlete and found a niche in the hybrid linebacker/safety position but not enough productivity to place him atop the priority. Plus, his knee injury in Week 17 against Baltimore brings another variable. Seems like both sides should be able to come to a reasonable agreement, though. I’d think a one-year deal is in order.

They said it: “There’s only so much I can do. God is in control. We’ll see what happens,” Lamur said.

Chance of return: 75 percent

Leon Hall

Age: 31, nine seasons

Stats: Finished year with two interceptions, one for a touchdown, 29 tackles and nine passes defensed playing primarily slot corner.

2015 Snap percentage: 61 percent

2015 cap number: $9.6M

Outlook: Looks like the end of the road in Cincinnati for one of the most productive draft picks of the Marvin Lewis era. The 2007 first-round pick was a co-MVP in 2009 (along with Johnathan Joseph) and ranked among the best corners in football through his prime. Unfortunately for him, two torn Achilles slowed him into a nickel corner role this year, and he also battled a back injury. The Bengals honored the lusty final year or his contract but doubtful he returns, particularly with the crop of Darqueze Dennard and Josh Shaw coming up behind him. Few were more important to the franchise-record run of five straight playoffs, but this is reality in the NFL. Any return would have to be a short-term deal and massive pay cut.

They said it: Notably, Leon Hall politely declined interviews all season after years spent as one of the most media-friendly players on the team.

Chance of return: 10 percent

Brandon Tate

Age: 28, seven seasons

Stats: Returned punts and kickoffs when Adam Jones was unable. Ranked 22 out of 24 qualified punt returners in yards per return (6.3). Caught two passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.

2015 snap percentage: 1 percent

2015 cap number: $665K

Outlook: Every year we think could be the last for Brandon Tate, and every year he continues to find his way back on to the roster. Last season, the Bengals’ inability to find a receiver in the first two days of the draft allowed an opening for Tate to stay. Possible we see a repeat scenario, especially with Marvin Jones and Mo Sanu both free agents. If so, would be nothing more than a one-year deal and another camp competition.

Chance of return: 30 percent

Eric Winston

Age: 32, nine seasons

Stats: Started two games in place of Andre Smith (concussion), inactive for four of the final six games.

2015 snap percentage: 16 percent

2015 cap number: $950K

Outlook: Winston showed enough leadership and ability in 2014 to warrant a one-year contract. Maybe the Bengals do the same again this year, but more than likely he falls by the wayside with the top two picks in place. The fact that he was inactive so much at the end of the season probably tells that story.

Chance of return: 15 percent

T.J. Johnson

Age: 25, two seasons (restricted)

Stats: Played sparingly as the backup center, only 16 total offensive snaps.

2015 snap percentage: 2 percent

2015 cap number: $510K

Outlook: Johnson is a restricted free agent; I wouldn’t expect the Bengals place any tender on him. He could still return after that, but at the low end of the league pay structure. I don’t know that many other teams will chase him down, so his best bet would be to return here at whatever the offer.

Chance of return: 75 percent

RT Andre Smith

Age: 28, seven seasons

Stats: Started all but two games (concussion), been starting right tackle since 2010. Played extremely well in playoff game allowing only two hurries in 50 pass-block snaps.

2015 cap number: $6.7 million

2015 snap percentage: 83.7

Outlook: The writing has been on the wall for Smith to move on since the Bengals spent their first two picks last year on offensive linemen Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher. He needed to have an exceptional year to stick around, and that didn’t happen. Smith played fine and will get paid to start at right tackle somewhere, but not enough to warrant a contract with two top picks waiting in the wings.

They said it: Opted not to speak to media, but did offer this when asked if we’d catch up again soon: “Maybe, maybe not.”

Chance of return: 10 percent