Cincinnati signed a talented linebacker as an undrated signee despite not addressing the position in the NFL Draft this year.
Although they already have their starters at linebacker, the Cincinnati Bengals are working to add more depth to the position. Since Markus Bailey has not signed a new contract, the team is looking at backup plans.
Maema Njongmeta, a linebacker from Wisconsin, is being signed by the Bengals as a priority undrafted free agent, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson. Cincinnati paid him a $15,000 signing bonus because they were so determined to get him.
Njongmeta, who measured in at 6-foot, 230 pounds at the NFL Combine, is a touch smaller than average by NFL standards for a linebacker. He also failed to impress with his speed, finishing the 40-yard dash in 4.91 seconds.
But his perseverance and strong on-field performance more than make up for his shortcomings in some measurements. He goes on blockers to disrupt and/or make the play because he is known to be physical, especially when playing against the run.
He recorded 95 tackles in 2022 as a junior, with 11.5 of those being for loss. That year, he also had an interception and 3.5 sacks.
Although his tackle total dropped to 59 last season, he still managed three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. His stats did suffer a little bit. He was a Big-10 All-Academic Player the previous season, partially embodying the kind of person Zac Taylor and company often want.
