The Cincinnati Bengals have not had a dominant inside linebacker on their defense since Vontaze Burfict left Cincinnati to play for the then-Oakland Raiders after the 2018 season. Burfict was a physically dominant athlete who played with an attitude that the Bengals have missed on their defense since Burfict. Cincinnati did address the linebacker position this spring by signing former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks. Another physical inside linebacker would help reinforce the 4-2 Nickel front that Al Golden will utilize in 2025, and the 2025 NFL draft has several prospects at linebacker that could help Burks and raise the performance of the Bengal’s defensive front to an elite level.
1. Jihaad Campbell – Alabama
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell is the top prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. While the Bengals have more critical positions on defense to improve, he would be an excellent addition to the defensive front of the Bengals or any other team in the NFL. The 6’3″, 244-pound Campbell has the prototypical build for an insider linebacker in the NFL. Campbell is also an elite athlete, and he could be a Mike or Sam linebacker in the Bengals defensive scheme. The only downside of Campbell’s game is that he needs better anticipation.
2. Jalon Walker – Georgia
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker is athletic enough to play several linebacker positions in an NFL team’s defensive front, and Walker has an excellent box presence. Walker has demonstrated the ability to play close to the line of scrimmage and off the line at depth in the box. The 6’2″, 245-pound Walker has the prototypical frame for an NFL inside linebacker, but he does have some room for growth. Some of those weaknesses are his lack of anticipation, elite passes rush ability, and off-the-ball instincts, which leave much to be desired, making him susceptible to offensive schemes that involve counter and misdirection.
3. Demetrius Knight Jr. – South Carolina
South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. is one of the oldest players in the 2025 draft class. While some might view Knight’s age as a negative, he brings a mature approach to the game and is a good processor on the field. Knight is also a fundamentally sound tackler, making him a valuable player inside the box, where missed tackles can be the difference between winning and losing. The 6’2″, 245-pound Knight has good pass-rush skills but can be overaggressive in the run game, setting him up for counters and cutbacks.
4. Carson Schwesinger – UCLA
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger is a prospect who brings elite processing speed and is a brilliant player on the field. A criticism of Schwesinger is that he is light for an NFL inside linebacker with a frame of 6’2″ and 225 pounds. Schwesinger can play Mike or Will as a linebacker for a defense that utilizes a four-man defensive line. Schwesinger’s versatility makes him an excellent fit for Al Golden’s defensive scheme, especially as a Will linebacker.
5. Chris Paul Jr. – Ole Miss
Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. is another linebacker who brings outstanding athleticism and intelligence to any defense. The main criticism of Paul is that he has a small frame at 6’1″, 235 pounds, and he needs to add mass to his frame to find a full-time role in the NFL. Paul Jr. has the potential to fit in well with an NFL defensive front. Still, coaches will need to be patient and invest time into helping Paul Jr. develop into a legitimate starting inside linebacker in the NFL.
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