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The Cincinnati Bengals used their last scheduled pick in the 2020 NFL draft to select Purdue linebacker Markus Bailey, their third linebacker pick of the event.
Maybe this shouldn’t have been so hard to see coming. The Bengals spent big in free agency all over the defense — except at linebacker, where veteran Josh Bynes was the only small add.
Cincinnati has apparently compensated for that in this draft with three linebackers. Bailey fits right in with the class as a whole too as a two-time captain and four-year starter.
Injuries bookended Bailey’s college career but he was an uber-productive guy with 89 or more tackles in three of his healthy seasons, never mind 14.5 sacks, six interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Big numbers, though Bailey could have a hard time sticking on the final roster depending on how many the Bengals decide to keep. But if he does stick, he’s likely going to be a force on special teams.
The reviews from experts, though, say quite a bit:
Markus Bailey at the top of the seventh round is an absolute steal for the #Bengals. Red flags on the medicals with two knee injuries, but his tape was nice. Smart LB whose anticipation and instincts show up vs. run and pass. Really hope he can stay healthy.
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) April 25, 2020
If he’s healthy, Bailey is a threat to make a roster, if not make some noise. That’s all the team can really ask for in the seventh round.
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