Bengals sign Khalid Kareem

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed defensive end Khalid Kareem to his rookie contract, the team announced Thursday. It’s a four-year contract which will be worth around $2.6 million total.

With the 147th overall pick (Round 5) in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected Kareem out of Notre Dame following a productive career with the Fighting Irish. Over the last two seasons, Kareem recorded 88 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and six pass deflections across 26 games.

Kareem was regarded as an early day three prospect heading into the draft. At 6-4 and 268 pounds, he was one of the more productive pass rushers in 2020 draft class. He even posted better numbers than teammate Julian Okwara, who was selected in Round 3 by the Detroit Lions.

However, Kareem didn’t test at the NFL Combine while recovering from a shoulder injury that also made him sit out at the Senior Bowl, which likely hurt his stock.

Now, Kareem will challenge for one a spot on what’s going to be a very talented and deep defensive line next season.

Of the Bengals’ seven draft picks, just two remain unsigned — first-round pick Joe Burrow and second-round pick Tee Higgins.