The 2025 NFL Draft could be a defining moment of the Zac Taylor era of the Cincinnati Bengals. This off-season, the Bengals made the necessary moves to maintain one of the most explosive offensive units in the NFL, starring quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Cincinnati has put itself in a position to work its way back into the status of being a championship contender after missing the playoffs in 2024. In this draft, the Bengals must manage the draft well to upgrade their defense by selecting an elite safety, an edge rusher that fits the mold of Al Golden’s Viper position, and a linebacker to pair with free agent acquisition Oren Burks. Offensively, the Bengals need to upgrade their interior offensive line by selecting a versatile lineman capable of playing offensive guard. This article presents a road that the Bengals could follow to receive an A+ grade in this draft and elevate themselves to becoming a Super Bowl contender.
1. Safety Malaki Starks
Many NFL draft “experts” have predicted that the Bengals will draft an edge rusher or defensive tackle with their first-round draft pick. That could be a solid decision unless Georgia safety Malaki Starks is available when the Bengals choose pick #17. Starks would fill a significant hole when the Bengals failed to re-sign safety Jesse Bates in 2022. Since then, the Bengals have been unable to find a quality safety to reinforce their defensive secondary. In addition to being an elite safety, Starks can also play free safety, strong safety, or play man coverage over a slot receiver, all things that Al Golden could do if he had his ideal player at safety.
2. Edge Mykel Williams
The edge rushers are one of the most deep position groups in the 2025 NFL Draft. Fortunately, the Bengals are looking for a specific type of edge rusher who can rush the passer, contain the running game, and drop into coverage. Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams is the complete package to become a dynamic playmaker for the Bengal’s defense. Many people have explained that the Bengals need to draft an edge rusher to replace the 17.5 sacks provided by Trey Hendrickson, but what those “experts” are failing to account for is that Al Golden needs a player to fill his “Viper” position, which requires a dynamic athlete. If the Bengals can draft Williams, they will have a dynamic player at the “Viper,” if they can find a resolution with Hendrickson, Williams and Hendrickson would be a formidable pass-rushing duo.
3. Linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.
When the Bengals signed former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks, they gave themselves a chance to build off a foundational playmaker with championship experience to reinforce their defensive front. If the Bengals can add another complementary linebacker to play in tandem with Burks, they will have a chance to make a massive improvement to their run defense. South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. has received criticism for being the oldest player in the 2025 draft, but with his age comes maturity. Knight is a linebacker with a high football IQ and great tackling technique, and with his intelligence comes the ability to develop chemistry with Burks to become a high-quality and complementary linebacker for the Bengal’s defense.
4. Interior Offensive Lineman Miles Frazier
The Cincinnati Bengals have an arsenal of offensive weapons, but they come up short along their offensive line, which often struggles to win on the line of scrimmage. Since quarterback Joe Burrow played for the Bengals, the Cincinnati offensive line has struggled to protect Burrow, and many times, that has led to Burrow missing several games per season due to injuries. LSU offensive guard Miles Frazier is a versatile offensive lineman who carries the label of “swingman” on the offensive line. Frazier would be able to solidify the Bengals offensive line at guard. In addition to playing guard, Frazier could slide to offensive tackle if needed and provide stability along the offensive line for the Bengals.
5. Running Back Quinshon Judkins
Another offensive weapon that would enhance the Bengal’s offense is a hard-running, physical ball carrier that can pick up critical yards in short-yardage situations, on the goal line, and help the Bengals grind out first down in 4-minute drill situations. Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins would be a great fit to fulfill a role as a power back for the Bengals. The 6’0″, 219-pound Judkins is a touch “North and South” runner, and he also can convert his speed to power when catching the ball out of the backfield. Judkins lacks creativity, but the Bengals have creative running backs; they do not have a running back willing to be a sledgehammer in the backfield, which would be an excellent fit for Quinshon Judkins.
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