Vontaze Burfict said after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Bengals that his new team just got one of the steals of the draft, because he has the talent of a first or second-round pick, and Cincinnati didn’t even have to spend a pick on him at all.
“I know that I’m a first, second-round pick and the Bengals got a steal in the draft because nobody drafted me,” Burfict told the Arizona State Press.
There was a time when Burfict was widely viewed as a first- or second-round pick, but that was before his 2011 season, when he regressed as a player and picked up far too many personal foul players. And it was way before his terrible Scouting Combine and Pro Day performances. All 32 teams decided over and over again that they didn’t think he was worth any draft pick at all.
Burfict said he likes Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and is excited about playing for him, and he also said he’s excited to play alongside Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga.
“I’m going to go in the first week and take notes of what he’s doing,” Burfict said of Maualuga. “I’m going to perfect my style of football. Hopefully, I’m either playing beside him, backing up or I’m starting. Either way, I’m happy to be on the team.”
Burfict will need to look a lot better in training camp than he has in the last year if he expects to be on the team in September.