Cincinnati Bengals NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Signing Trey Hendrickson to an extension remains on the team's offseason to-do list, and the Bengals drafted Shemar Stewart to pair with him in 2025. If contract negotiations remain at a stalemate, however, drafting a first-round edge defender in back-to-back seasons wouldn't be out of the question. Overton, a former teammate of Stewart before transferring to Alabama, offers positional versatility with a blend of size, power and athleticism to win in a variety of ways.

For some, Notre Dame running Jeremiyah Love is the top running back prospect in this class, but Baxter's freshman year was really encouraging. Now, he is returning from injury. The last three running backs that I included in way-too-early mock drafts were Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs and Ashton Jeanty. Baxter is not in the same class as those three players, but there is a lot to like.

The Bengals surprisingly did not address defensive tackle in this year's draft, so it looms as a huge need entering 2026. They need someone with Banks' great 6-6, 325-pound size in the middle of the line. He showed flashes last season, and if he can continue to progress in 2025 and increase his sack total (4.5), he has the traits to be a top-20 pick.

Cincinnati chose to strengthen its front seven with its 2025 draft capital, but now pivot to adding a lockdown cornerback to help the cause. Muhammad dialed up a 20% forced incompletion rate with 11 PBUs while allowing a microscopic .81 yards per coverage snap, and would represent an immediate upgrade.

The retooling of the Bengals defense figures to be a multiyear process and Thieneman could be a nice asset to add to a secondary that gave up too many big plays. His speed sets him apart, but he has a chance to really thrive with the move to Oregon.

The younger brother of Francisco Mauigoa, who was drafted this past weekend by the Jets, Francis Mauigoa was a big-time recruit for the Hurricanes and has started all 26 games at right tackle over the last two years. With improved consistency in 2025, he will put himself in the conversation to be a potential first-rounder.

Yes, Cincinnati used two picks on blockers in 2025, but paying all that money to Joe Burrow and his talented pass-catchers all but guarantees that the Bengals will be using lots of early draft picks on relatively inexperienced offensive linemen on rookie contracts. Bisontis has the burly frame and physicality the Bengals prioritize, starring at left guard the past two seasons after signing with the Aggies as a four-star recruit out of New Jersey.

If Cincinnati is going to reassert its contender status and account for an investing strategy that tilts heavily toward its offense, it will need to round out its defense with playmakers on rookie contracts. Sabb, a Michigan transfer who started just seven games last year before being sidelined by a foot injury, could patrol the back end of the unit while still making his mark in the run game.