Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft Roundup 2.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Cincinnati Bengals from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Bengals:
17. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
It would be a hollow gesture to fire the defensive coordinator and then not help out his replacement with more armaments, especially up front. If Ezeiruaku keeps acing the pre-draft process, I could see him possibly going this high.
17. Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The conversation around Cincinnati and Buffalo is similar: both teams have quarterbacks who allow them to compete with Patrick Mahomes and the other top offenses in the league. If they build more formidable defenses to slow those other teams down, that will give them the best chance to slay the beast in the AFC.
17. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
If the Bengals lose Tee Higgins in free agency, the addition of a big-bodied tight end with dynamic receiving skills could help Joe Burrow continue to flourish as a passer.
17. Walter Nolen, IDL, Mississippi
The Bengals simply need to address their leakiness against the run this offseason, and that begins up the spine of their defense. Nolen is another athletic defensive tackle in this class that is especially disruptive on defensive twists and games. He still has to harness his ability to impact plays more consistently, but he can create edginess and explosive plays for a defense that desperately needs it.
The Athletic — Baumgardner/Dochterman
17. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
You'd love to be able to give Joe Burrow more help elsewhere, but Cincinnati has made some interesting personnel decisions and could be in the market for a receiver again.
Burden is another player in this class who has top-10 talent but might have a wide range in Round 1 — in his case, not just because of his smallish frame but also because his 2023 season was much better than his 2024.
Burden is another player in this class who has top-10 talent but might have a wide range in Round 1 — in his case, not just because of his smallish frame but also because his 2023 season was much better than his 2024.
17. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Perhaps Joe Burrow (and many Bengals' fans) will get their wish and the team will re-sign Tee Higgins, but it's more than fair to wonder if they will be willing to pony up what he may command in the open market, especially with Ja'Marr Chase entering a walk year. While he's always played second fiddle to Ohio State's other elite receivers, he finished his career with the most receptions (205) and yards (2,868) in school history.
17. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon
The Bengals, simply put, can't afford to let Joe Burrow keep taking hits the way he has been. Some of that falls on Burrow himself but the team faces greater pressure to get the protection unit right with their style of play and Burrow's mentality as a passer. Josh Conerly is one of the big risers of the 2024 college season, and he'd be a potential upgrade over Orlando Brown Jr. in protection or an immediate upgrade opportunity in the short term over Alex Cappa or Cordell Volson/Cody Ford.
17. Walter Nolen, IDL, Mississippi
Nolen is a dynamic interior disruptor. He would be a key part of a turnaround under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden.
17. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
How contract situations play out for Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase could change the calculus, but it would be nearly impossible for Cincinnati to ignore the defense. Without a doubt, that unit kept the Bengals from the playoffs this season, allowing 25.5 points per game (25th). So I'm matching them with a prospect who does a little bit of everything on that side of the ball. Campbell had 112 tackles, 5 sacks, 12 run stops and an interception this season. He's instinctive and explosive.
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