Bengals’ Khalid Kareem models game after Chandler Jones, Everson Griffen

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Khalid Kareem has some big inspirations.

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Khalid Kareem is one of the more interesting rookies for the Cincinnati Bengals going into 2020.

While he’s only a fifth-round pick, the former Notre Dame star drummed up an impressive resume in college and has the looks of an instant producer in a rotational role.

It sure helps that he looks up to a superstar NFL player like Chandler Jones and others.

“He just plays the game the right way, always hustling to the ball,” Kareem said, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Same thing with Everson Griffen. “They never lay down on the field. They’re always around the ball. They’re always in the picture.”

Jones has been a dominant force since entering the league in 2012, registering 96 sacks along the way. And Everson Griffen — one of the top free agents left for the Bengals — has 74.5 since 2010.

Kareem has some serious work to do in order to break through teammates like Carlos Dunlap, Sam Hubbard and Carl Lawson on the edge for serious playing time. But his attitude, approach and skill set make it easy to see why the Bengals like him so much.

Kareem was the latest rookie to finalize his contract with the Bengals.

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