NFL Draft 2025: Cincinnati Bengals Picks, Team Needs, Targets, & Mock Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL in 2024. Their offense was electric, ranking 6th in the league in points and boasting the number 1 passing attack. Joe Burrow led all QBs in completions, yards, and touchdowns, while Ja’Marr Chase won the wide receiver triple crown and was named a First Team All Pro.

Cincinnati Bengals | NFL Draft Preview

But for the second straight year, the team finished with a 9-8 record and missed the postseason entirely. It was their defense that was largely to blame, as the unit ranked 25th in points allowed and was 4th-worst against the pass. The Bengals managed to win their final five games, though they were unable to rebound from a 4-8 start, keeping them out of the playoffs.

Will they be able to bolster the defensive side of the ball enough for the upcoming season? They added a couple of linebackers in free agency, but still have plenty of holes to fill and talent to add. That’s why the 2025 NFL Draft will be so important to Cincinnati, though they do not have a treasure trove of assets by any means.

List Of Bengals 2025 NFL Draft Picks

The Bengals won’t have a ton of firepower heading into the draft process. They own the rights to 6 picks throughout all seven rounds, with only 3 NFL teams having fewer. But they rank in the early 20s in terms of draft asset power rankings, and they could always trade down to pick up an additional selection in the 3rd or 4th rounds. Cincinnati has no compensatory picks.

1st Round, 17th overall

2nd Round, 49th overall

3rd Round, 81st overall

4th Round, 119th overall

5th Round, 153rd overall

6th Round, 193rd overall

Team Needs

Edge

Trey Hendrickson racked up an NFL high 17.5 sacks in 2024, but had little help rushing the quarterback. No other Bengals player eclipsed 5 sacks on the year, and the team didn’t do much in free agency to address the issue. And if they end up trading Hendrickson as he has requested, then an already-poor edge rushing unit turns into arguably the worst in the league.

Defensive Back

Safety or cornerback? Take your pick. The Bengals need help all over their secondary, and again didn’t use the free agency period well enough to add the talent that they’ll need to be more competitive. The unit as a whole gave up the 4th-most touchdowns of any in the NFL in 2024, and are returning most of the players that made up the depth chart last season. Geno Stone and Cam Taylor-Britt are solid enough pieces, but they’ll be looking to add depth during the upcoming draft.

Guard

Cincinnati released veteran guard Alex Cappa after his terrible performance in 2024, and they’re going to need help in order to keep Joe Burrow upright for the upcoming season. They brought in Patrick Lucas from New Orleans via free agency, but he is considered more of a depth piece than a Week 1 starter. They’re unlikely to use the 17th overall pick to address the position, which will make guard a Day 2 priority.

Mock Draft (4 Rounds)

1st Round, 17th overall pick: Shemar Stewart – EDGE, Texas A&M

2nd Round, 49th overall pick: Darien Porter – CB, Iowa State

3rd Round, 81st overall pick: Jared Wilson – IOL, Georgia

4th Round, 119th overall pick: Barrett Carter – LB, Clemson