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There were all kind of rumors before the 2025 draft concerning the Cincinnati Bengals. 

One rumor was they were going to select all defensive players. Another was they were going to try and trade up to get the best guard available. Last season the Bengals had two straight games where they scored more than 30 points and still lost the game. Despite the NFL sack leader in Trey Hendrickson, they still finished with one of the worst defenses in the NFL.  

The Bengal defense was so bad after the 2024 season defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was terminated.     

The priority in the 2025 draft was gets some players. Not only get some players, but get some people who  would make a difference. Of the six draftees for 2025, the team split the difference. They chose three offensive players, and three defensive players. 

Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M was the first player selected. Stewart was an edge rusher. Let’s just be honest. Stewart was not that productive in college. He was a solid player and disrupted offenses. The new Bengal had only two sacks last season. He did lead the team with seven QB hurries and 5.5 tackles for losses.

Right behind Stewart the Bengals second-round selection was Demetrius Knight Jr. from South Carolina. Knight is a linebacker who on paper was more productive than Stewart. At South Carolina Knight posted 82 tackles in in 2024. Eight of the tackles were for loss. 

Both Stewart and Knight Jr. could be potential starters as now former Bengal starter Sam Hubbard has retired and linebacker Jermaine Pratt’s future is uncertain. 

The guard position in 2024 for the Bengals was the weak link on the line.  The team sought and found a guard in Dylan Fairchild out of Georgia. Fairchild will be reunited with last years former #1 pick for the Bengals in Amarius Mims. Fairchild has a reputation as a hard nose player but little experience.

The last three rounds were linebacker Barrett Carter of Clemson, Jalen Rivers of Miami, and Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech.  Carter is a linebacker, while Rivers and Brooks are offensive players. Rivers is an offensive tackle, while Brooks was a running back. 

Any of the six picks can make an impact. The spotlight is usually put on the first draftees to contribute at worst, start at best. 

An overall grade for the Bengal draft looks to be about a C. That’s based on production of the players in college and comparison to other draft classes. It will not be truly known if the class gets an A or an F until years down the line. Defensively, Cincy needs help, and help now.