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The Cincinnati Bengals added three linebackers in the 2020 NFL draft.
But undrafted free-agent linebacker Marcel Spears might just elbow his way onto the final roster too.
A new writeup notes that new linebackers coach Al Golden made a point to see Spears in person just before things got shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Golden made a point to set up a private workout with Spears after the Iowa State star didn’t get invited to the combine and had his pro day cancelled due to the pandemic.
Spears said it made all the difference for him, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“It was great for him to come out because the coronavirus was really starting to hit. We had a classroom session for about 30 to 40 minutes and we went on the field for about 20 to 30 minutes. We didn’t do any testing. It was linebacker drills. Then we just wanted to make sure he got home safe.”
Spears, a 39-game starter in college, sure looks like he could push for a roster spot thanks to his every-down traits. His positional coach liking him so much before the draft sure says a lot about where he stands.
Still, Spears has to compete with the three draft picks Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey. There’s also free-agent add Josh Bynes and waiver claim Austin Calitro.
But by the sounds of it, Spears will have every chance to make a name for himself and stick.
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