The Athletic Picks Duke Linebacker Shaka Heyward as Bengals' Best UDFA Fit

CINCINNATI — The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner released one undrafted free agent for every NFL team that fits the best.

His choice for the Bengals is Duke linebacker, Shaka Heyward.

"A cousin of Pittsburgh Steelers Cam and Connor Heyward (and their dad, the late Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward), Shaka was a three-year starter at Duke. He has good size at 6-2, 235 pounds, and great speed (4.53 40; 1.54 10-yard split) with elite length (34-inch arms). There’s something about those Heyward boys — they seem to find a way," Baumgardner wrote.

Heyward will have to jump a couple of players to earn a roster spot as the fourth-string weak-side linebacker heading into the summer.

Duke's Shaka Heyward is such a unique LB. Won't fit the mold for everyone, but gets the job done on three downs. pic.twitter.com/7X7C9Ei05c
— Chris Trapasso 🏈 (@ChrisTrapasso) March 23, 2023

Shaka Heyward is a LB prospect in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 7.94 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 546 out of 2652 LB from 1987 to 2023. #bengals https://t.co/z7ZXHAAv2V pic.twitter.com/C1ynNB2b1v
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023

The @seniorbowl is looking live at @DukeFOOTBALL vs. @Temple_FB. Duke LB Shaka Heyward has 3 things going for him: 1) production- 246 tackles & 26.5 TFL in 39 games; 2) length- 35 1/8” arms; 3) NFL bloodlines- cousin of 2022 RSB alum @ConnorHeyward1. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/SFCAqcb7hd
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 3, 2022

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