Bengals signing undrafted LB Marcel Spears Jr.

The Bengals keep adding linebackers with Iowa State linebacker Marcel Spears Jr. being the latest addition as an undrafted free agent.

Clearly, the Bengals are purging their entire linebacker unit from last season, and they have a new type. Spears is a rangy athletic linebacker that a few analysts even view as a hybrid safety.

He started three seasons at linebacker for Idaho state. He only reached 100 tackles his first year as a starter, but he also totaled four interception, six passes defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery over his career.

The Bengals drafted three linebackers during the draft — Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Markus Bailey — that will make it hard for any undrafted linebackers to stick onto the roster.

The best route for Spears onto the roster may be via special teams. The NFL also has added two extra roster spots for teams since they are moving to a 17-game season. Maybe the Bengals will opt to carry five linebacker considering two of the ones they drafted have injury concerns as well. Practice squad could also be a possibility as well.

Spears will have a tall hill to climb, but the complete culture change to the linebacking corp bodes well for his talents.