The 2025 NFL Draft is approaching and the Cincinnati Bengals have the 17th pick. This is a breakdown of their team needs and potential players they could select in the Draft.
State of the Union
The past two seasons have been extremely disappointing for the Bengals. After making a Super Bowl and the AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons, Cincinnati has now missed the playoffs the past two seasons. The Bengals started the 2024-25 season off terribly, and while they improved as the season went on, they came up just short of a playoff berth. Joe Burrow put up MVP-level numbers, leading the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase pulled off the rare triple crown, leading the NFL in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and receptions. Clearly, the defense was a major issue for Cincinnati. It needs massive improvement on that side of the ball this offseason, and it has already made a big move by firing longtime DC Lou Anarumo.
With Anarumo’s firing, it is officially Zac Taylor on the hot seat. Taylor bought himself a lot of comfort by making a Super Bowl, but the last two seasons, his team has not performed well enough for how much talent they have. The Bengals already paid Joe Burrow big money and just cemented the future of their offense by extending Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason. That turns full focus to the Bengals’ defense, which needs to try to get to the level of their electrifying offense so that this team can not just make the playoffs but get back to the Super Bowl.
Free Agency Recap
Departures
RG Alex Cappa and RT Trent Brown – The Bengals lost their entire right side of the offensive line in the offseason. Brown only played three games with the Bengals before going down for the season with an injury, and he is now headed to Houston. Cappa has spent the last three seasons in Cincinnati but was the worst guard in football last season by multiple metrics. The Bengals decided to release him and he is now in Las Vegas.
DL Sheldon Rankins – After a disappointing season, the Bengals decided to release Rankins. He has also moved to Houston this offseason. The Bengals will need to find a new interior defensive lineman to pair with B.J. Hill.
EDGE Sam Hubbard – Sam Hubbard decided to retire this offseason after spending his entire career with the Bengals. There were rumors that the Bengals were looking to trade him this offseason, but Hubbard seemed to take matters into his own hands by retiring. Hubbard was still relatively young to be retiring and even if they were looking to move him, the Bengals will miss his steady presence on the end of the defensive line.
Potential Departures
CB Mike Hilton, S Vonn Bell – Mike Hilton and Vonn Bell are both yet to sign anywhere, but it looks unlikely that they will come back to Cincinnati. Both have been key contributors for the Bengals over the past few seasons (Bell over two stints), but both are on the wrong side of 30 and their play is starting to decline. The Bengals need to revamp their secondary, but the loss of these two veterans does add a sense of urgency to the Bengals’ problems.
Key Additions
DL Tedarrell Slaton (Packers) – T.J. Slaton has been a middling player in Green Bay but should be a solid depth piece for the Bengals behind B.J. Hill. However, they still need to add more to their defensive line this offseason.
G Lucas Patrick (Saints) – The former Packer, Bear and Saint is moving to the Bengals to potentially get the starting right guard spot vacated by Alex Cappa. Even if Patrick doesn’t earn a starting job, he will provide good veteran experience and the ability to play multiple positions.
Team Needs
Defensive Line – The Bengals were in the bottom five in the NFL in defensive rush EPA last season. They need to bring in a strong interior defensive lineman to play with B.J. Hill to assist in the run defense. Not only do they need interior defensive linemen, but also a strong EDGE rusher. They already needed pass-rushing help, but after the departure of Sam Hubbard, that has become an even more urgent need for the Bengals. Anybody who plays along the defensive line and rushes the passer is needed by Cincinnati.
Secondary – The Bengals really struggled to stop the run last season, but they weren’t great against the pass either. With the departures of Vonn Bell and Mike Hilton, they immediately need to reload that secondary with some bright young talent in the NFL Draft, as well as some veteran experience.
Potential Draft Picks
DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss) – The big defensive tackle from Ole Miss could be the perfect fit for the Bengals. He would be a great pairing with Hill on the interior defensive line. He is a dominant run stuffer but can also get after the quarterback and create pressure. He is very athletic for his size and his college production was fantastic. He needs to add a bit more bulk and refine some techniques, but he has the capability to be great at the next level.
S Malaki Starks (Georgia) – Malaki Starks would be the ideal piece to add to the Bengals’ secondary. There are question marks around Starks’ athleticism, which could see him drop down some big boards. However, his college production and football IQ are unquestioned. Starks was a leader and a national champion at Georgia who can play multiple positions. With some refinement of his coverage techniques, he could be the superstar that the Bengals need on the defensive side of the ball.
EDGE Mike Green (Marshall) – If the Bengals opt for a pass rusher, Mike Green could be the perfect man for the job. Green led college football with 17 sacks last season and his production levels are unquestioned. He is explosive and has a motor that never stops. The biggest question marks around him are just whether he has enough mass and length to beat NFL offensive tackles. However, he has multiple elite pass-rushing techniques and is worth a mid-first-round pick in this draft.
