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The Bengals have already verbally agreed to deals with several undrafted free agents, and there will be more guys looking to earn a deal through tryouts.
One of those guys will be in former Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Blake McClain, who tweeted that he has a minicamp tryout with both Cincinnati and Washington.
Bengals and red skins mini camp . All I can ask is for an opportunity and blessed for that! Make the most of it #UnderDog
— Blake McClain (@Bmcclain6) May 1, 2017
The 5’11”, 193-pound McLain began his college career as a cornerback, but he would play safety as well during his time in Lexington. He was a slot corner in 2014 while recording 28 tackles and six pass deflections.
McClain spent more time at safety in 2015, racking up 31 tackles, one forced fumble and five pass deflections. He would spend time at safety and cornerback this past season in more of a full-time role, registering 62 total tackles, three interceptions and two pass deflections.
With the Bengals, McClain’s best chance to make the roster or even the practice squad will come at safety. There are just too many corners for him to even dream of winning a spot on the 53-man roster, but at safety, the only sure things are Shawn Williams, George Iloka and Derron Smith. Clayton Fejedelem will have a leg up on winning that fourth safety spot, but it’s not a lock by any means. If any of those four guys get hurt in training camp or the preseason, that could open the door for McClain to earn a spot with the team.
It helps that McClain can give the Bengals snaps at safety and cornerback, being that they love their players on both sides of the ball to be capable of playing multiple spots. McClain becomes the second former UK product to join the Bengals this offseason after running back Boom Williams agreed to an undrafted free agent deal on Saturday.