Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals needed to reinforce the defense and figure out the guard situation on the offensive line. With six picks, the Bengals added an edge rusher and two linebackers on defense, and two versatile linemen and a running back on offense. Despite addressing the needs — whether or not they did so in the most efficient way is a point of contention — there are plenty of ways the roster needs upgrading.
On the offensive line, the Bengals re-signed Cody Ford, brought in Patrick Lucas, drafted Dylan Fairchild and Jalen Rivers, and brought in Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Etienne as undrafted free agents. The Bengals are likely to start at least two of this group at the two guard positions because the right guard spot is vacant and the left guard spot is in dire need of an upgrade. The two free agents and the two draftees will be the ones fighting with Cordell Volson for the two guard spots. Meanwhile, you can’t have too much offensive line depth in the NFL. UDFAs are lottery tickets, and McLaughlin has been tabbed as one to watch as someone who could make the roster and actually contribute.
UDFA Seth McLaughlin Tabbed a “Plug-And-Play Option” for Bengals
There is a healthy cross-section of Ohio State fans and Bengals fans, much to the chagrin of Cincinnati Bearcats fans. So, with each and every draft season, there is plenty of discourse around wanting the Bengals to draft former Buckeyes. On one hand, don’t scout the helmet and don’t hold the next year’s draft prospects to the unfortunate standard of the Billy Prices or Michael Jordans of the world. On the other hand, don’t shoehorn your favorite school’s players to your favorite NFL team.
So, with the announcement that the Bengals signed McLaughlin as a UDFA out of Ohio State, the discourse was palpable. Taking away the helmet scouting aspect, McLaughlin looks like a shot in the dark with no downside and plenty of upside. He was the Rimington Trophy winner for the Buckeyes despite suffering a catastrophic Achilles injury. In addition, he was a consensus All-American as a center. As a prospect, McLaughlin was likely a late-day-two/early-day-three even when healthy due to his age. With the injury, he dropped all the way off the board.
Even then, he was a priority free agent for the Bengals to round out the offensive line depth.
A “Plug-And-Play” Option
According to Brandon Austin from Pro Football & Sports Network, McLaughlin is a safe bet and, assuming health, he could make the roster and could carve out a legitimate NFL career:
“There’s no denying how dangerous the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense is. With Joe Burrow throwing the football, and Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown at his disposal, they can put points on anyone. The offensive line is holding them back, though (29th in OL+). Ted Karras is the starter in the middle, but injuries happen, and depth should be a priority.
“Seth McLaughlin is a technically sound, mentally sharp center with high football IQ and a strong track record of starting experience at two powerhouse programs. Despite suffering a season-ending Achilles injury late in 2024, McLaughlin’s body of work, particularly his breakout year at Ohio State, makes him a compelling prospect who could thrive in the right scheme.
“McLaughlin’s game relies on leverage, footwork, and anticipation rather than brute force, making him an ideal fit for zone-based offenses that emphasize mobility and technique over pure strength. At 6’4″, 304 pounds, McLaughlin doesn’t overwhelm defenders at the point of attack, but he plays with excellent balance, hand placement, and core strength. He moves well in space, consistently climbs to the second level. If cleared medically, McLaughlin offers plug-and-play potential as a backup center with the long-term upside of a starter.”
Full Seth McLaughlin Scouting Report
A Consensus is Forming
Austin isn’t the only major platform to highlight McLaughlin as the highest-upside UDFA for the Bengals. Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic also spoke highly of the former Buckeye:
“A two-year starter at Alabama, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and won the Rimington Award (best center in college football) despite tearing his Achilles two weeks before the Michigan game. A powerful, agile leader (when healthy), McLaughlin played his best football in Columbus and will have a shot if he can overcome his injury. The Bengals also brought in stout Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III.”
Bleacher Report‘s Brent Sobleski added another voice to McLaughlin’s side:
“Seth McLaughlin was on track to be the top-rated pure center prospect in the 2025 draft class. He even won this past season’s Rimington Trophy.
“Unfortunately, McLaughlin also suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon, which could hamper his participation in training camp. Still, the Cincinnati Bengals should try to sneak McLaughlin onto the roster somehow, because he could potentially replace Ted Karras in the lineup.
“‘Overall, McLaughlin is an older prospect coming off a major lower leg injury with solid athletic ability and the mental makeup, build, play strength and technical savvy to compete for the pivot job when healthy and stick as a starter long-term in a multiple run scheme,’ B/R scouting Brandon Thorn wrote.”
A Lottery Ticket
McLaughlin is just that, a lottery ticket. The Bengals lose nothing and could gain a reliable backup on the interior offensive line. Obviously, there are concerns about his arm length as well as how the Achilles tear will affect his already limited athletic profile. In terms of technique, McLaughlin is solid, and his snapping issues seemed to disappear once he transferred away from Alabama. That Achilles injury will be the thing to watch with him.
It’ll be an uphill battle for the former Buckeye one way or another. Anecdotally, McLaughlin seems like a great culture fit and will be fighting to return from that injury. The interior offensive line room in Cincinnati is crowded now, and if he can get healthy and earn a legitimate shot, McLaughlin can be a diamond in the rough.
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