The Cincinnati Bengals will strive to supplement their roster in the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay with players who can help them win games in the rugged AFC North. The team has several positions that must be bolstered to make a run at a divisional title. Upgrading the defense with impact players is priority number one, with a focus on the defensive line. The men in stripes need to generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks from EDGE rushers and up the middle from interior DL. The secondary and linebacker corps also had issues with poor communication all season. Finally, the never-ending quest to adequately protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow continues. The bookends are solid with Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims but, much like the defense, the interior needs work. Drafting athletic guards who move well in space has to be seriously considered in the early rounds. With this being said, let’s take a look at our first version of a three-round Bengals Mock Draft.
Cincinnati Bengals Three-Round Mock Draft 1.0
Round One (Pick 17) – DT | Walter Nolen / Ole Miss
The Bengals will be over the moon if Walter Nolen from Ole Miss is available on draft night at 17. His stock is rapidly rising and Director of Player Personnel, Duke Tobin was watching him intently at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
For what it’s worth, that’s Duke Tobin in the grey jacket and hat watching the interior d-linemen including Walter Nolen up close #Bengals pic.twitter.com/kKZDYfh5yU
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 28, 2025
Nolen is the size of a starter at 6’3″, almost 300 pounds but won’t necessarily blow you away with his physical traits. He’s coming off a stellar season for the Rebels where he played in 13 games with 48 TOTAL tackles and six and a half sacks. Nolen earned numerous accolades including, the 2024 Consensus All-American, 2024 All-America First Team (AP, FWAA, Sporting News, USA Today, ESPN, The Athletic, Phil Steele), 2024 All-SEC First Team (Coaches, Phil Steele), 2024 USA Today All-SEC, 2024 Outland Trophy Finalist, 2024 Walter Camp Award Semifinalist, and 2024 Bednarik Award Semifinalist.
Nolen is powerful, and the hallmark of his game is an explosive first step off the line of scrimmage. He is also an effective space-eater and can take on double teams which allows him to be a three-down player at the next level.
Round Two (Pick 49) – EDGE | Jack Sawyer / Ohio State
Jack Sawyer from right up the road in Columbus would be an immediate impact player and a position of need at EDGE rusher. The value at 49 is hard to pass up and the Bengals love Ohio State products. With Sam Hubbard facing an uncertain future in Cincy, Sawyer could step in and bookend All-Pro Trey Hendrickson to provide a formidable pass rush the Bengals have been lacking for several years.
Sawyer played four years for the Buckeyes and saved his best for last in 2024. In his senior season, he played in 16 games and recorded nine sacks, including a play for the ages to cap off a National Championship.
JACK SAWYER OH MY HEAVENS
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 11, 2025
Round Three (Pick 81) – OG | Tate Ratledge / Georgia
The first offensive player in this draft for the Bengals comes at pick 81 in OG Tate Ratledge from Georgia. Ratledge comes from the NFL Bulldog factory and could immediately replace Alex Cappa if he’s a cap casualty.
Ratledge is a powerful man who possesses great size and athleticism from the interior of the line. He often wins with great leverage and is excellent in pass protection which is music to the ears of QB1. Ratledge also plays with some serious nastiness and fits right in playing AFC North football.
*Stats and research provided courtesy of the Pro Football Network (PFN) and NFL.com
Main Photo: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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