The Cincinnati Bengals officially peeled back the proverbial curtain on the 14 undrafted free-agent signings this week.
Some were more notable than others, such as that pair of linebackers who received notable signing bonuses to join the team.
A punter, even, might just be the most-hyped undrafted free agent signing by the team after the draft came and went with the Bengals using 10 picks and spending none of them on the perceived problem area.
Here’s a look at the handful of undrafted signings who have the best chance at making an already-strong 53-man roster that just got bolstered by 10 draft picks.
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star
A huge culture fit already getting hyped by scouting reports after his fit with the Bengals, the fact Casey was a multi-year starter on special teams gives him a jump on other UDFAs. It sure doesn’t hurt that the Bengals didn’t add to the position during the draft.
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McNamara hit an 87-yard punt in college, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg with his impressive stats. He was one of college’s best and the team didn’t add a punter in the draft. He excels in areas Brad Robbins tends to struggle, so if he has a strong summer, he could be the only one on the roster by final-53 time.
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Lombardi didn’t have eye-popping stats while limited by some of the talent around him last year. But a booming arm and past experience working on offense installs should keep him in the competition for No. 3 QB duties with Logan Woodside. The athleticism to emulate some AFC passers as a scout team QB will keep him around on the practice squad at worst.
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Of the UDFA running backs the team added, Collins sticks out the most. Age is probably the biggest knock, as he was productive in 2019 at Michigan State before going elsewhere. He’s got the size and skills to win a roster spot, but was simply unluckily overshadowed for most of his college career. There’s a chance he can compete with or even take the spot behind Trayveon Williams on the 53.
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Could both linebackers make it? There’s room behind Germaine Pratt, Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither after losing Markus Bailey, depending on how other positions shake out. Njongmeta was super productive and is a block-shedder who can likely make an impact on special teams to start.
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How about a long shot going overlooked? Despite drafting two players at the spot, there might be room for an upset behind Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson if Erick All isn’t able to full-go. Grandy is a versatile, 6’5″ target who can block well, meaning he might able to do enough to stick.
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