Rule 5 pick Cooper Bowman is headed back to the Athletics after not being able to make the Reds major league roster.

The Reds have returned Rule 5 draft selection Cooper Bowman to the Athletics, per announcements from both clubs. Cincinnati’s 40-man roster count drops to 39.

The Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing defensive end Cam Sample to a one-year deal, according to a report Wednesday night from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Last August, Sample suffered a torn Achilles tendon.

The Cincinnati Bengals enter free agency on Wednesday, March 12 with money to spend, needs to fill and contract extensions to iron out. Like the rest of the NFL, the Bengals really got started during free agency's legal tampering window, which started on Monday.

With the first part of free agency in the books, it's a good time to put together a seven-round mock for the Bengals. For this mock, we are using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator. Starks could be a legitimate top-10 talent in this draft class and safety is still a key need as the Bengals look to revamp their defense with new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

The Cincinnati Bengals already had one near-miss on a free agent they would like to sign. According to reports, they've at least shown serious interest in another. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway,