Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the opportunity for the Bengals to build a championship defense was available. Despite the 2025 draft player pool having everything the Bengals needed, including a plethora of elite talent at Edge, Inside Linebacker, Safety, and Offensive Guards, the Bengals could not overcome their history of making odd draft decisions at inopportune times. However, this year, the Bengals successfully selected players that met most of their needs, if you ignore that they did not pick a safety in the draft. In football, “timing is everything,” which is true of this year’s 2025 draft class; it is not always about who a team picks in the draft but when they choose those players.
Bengals 1st Pick: Edge Shemar Stewart = D
When the Cincinnati Bengals made their 1st Round pick in 2025 with pick 17, many highly touted edge players were available. Besides a deep class of edge players, Georgia safety Malaki Starks was also available, and Starks had a high probability of becoming a legendary player for the Bengal defense. So, it would be difficult for the Bengals to make a poor decision with this pick, but then they select Texas A&M edge Shemar Stewart. Stewart has all the measurables to be a future Hall-of-Famer, but his production in college was highly questionable. However, many blamed the defensive scheme he played in for his lack of production. Therefore, the Bengals opened the draft by gambling on a prospect that needs further development rather than picking a player who would be closer to being a definite starter on their defense in 2025.
Bengals 2nd Pick: LB Demetrius Knight Jr. = A
By the time the Bengals had an opportunity to make their second draft selection in the 2nd Round with pick 49, Starks was unavailable after the Bengal’s AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens, selected the safety near the end of the 1st Round. Despite the Bengal’s need for more safety depth, they picked South Carolina inside linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. with their 2nd pick of the 2025 draft. Knight is an excellent fit for the Bengal’s current group of linebackers, and he will have a chance to make an immediate impact due to his maturity, high football IQ, and outstanding tackling technique.
Bengals 3rd Pick: Guard Dylan Fairchild = C
In the 3rd round of the 2025 draft, the Bengals used pick 81 to add Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild to their offensive line. While Fairchild was not a highly touted offensive guard in this draft pool, he does come to the Bengals with a wealth of experience against the best talent in college football in the SEC. While playing for Georgia, the 6’5″, 315-pound Fairchild started 24 out of 34 games that he played in during his career with the Bulldogs. Fairchild’s most important strength is his versatility, and his ability to use his hands while blocking and lateral movement should allow me to find a role on the Bengal’s offensive line.
Bengals 4th Pick: LB Barrett Carter = C
Entering the 4th draft round, the Bengals still had a few safety prospects available that would have contributed to Al Golden’s efforts to improve the Bengal’s defense. Still, with pick 119, the Bengals selected Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter. In the pre-draft, most linebacker rankings had Carter rated as the 7th best inside linebacker prospect in this draft. So, picking him up in the 4th round was not a bad acquisition for the Bengals despite their need for help at the safety position. The 6’0″, 231-pound Clemson linebacker has elite change of direction capabilities, and he has the speed to be a linebacker with the skills to play every down at a Will linebacker position.
Bengals 5th Pick: Tackle Jalen Rivers = C-
During the late rounds of the draft, the hope for most teams is to draft players that could potentially be a “diamond in the rough,” the Bengal’s selection for pick 153 Miami tackle Jalen Rivers embodies that description. The 6’6″, 319-pound Jalen Rivers has the size and athleticism to be a top-performing offensive tackle in the NFL. He is slower than needed to be a left tackle prospect, but if the Bengals are willing to use a tight end to his side, he could use his power to be an excellent blocker. What hurt Rivers’ pre-draft ratings was that he has a poor record with injuries, having his 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons shortened by injuries while playing for the Hurricanes.
Bengals 6th Pick: RB Tahj Brooks = B
Nonetheless, one of the Bengal’s less immediate but critical needs was a running back capable of pounding the ball downhill and picking up yards in short-yardage situations. With the 193rd pick in the draft, the Bengals selected a prospect that could grow into that role. Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks has the raw speed and athletic ability to be a contributor in the NFL. In addition to running the ball well, Brooks is also excellent at pass protection, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield. However, he lacks elite acceleration after catching the ball. While Brooks will most likely never be a “star” running back in the NFL, he can come in and pick up hard yards.
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