At first glance, the Cincinnati Bengals have some really obvious areas to attack early in the 2025 NFL draft.
That’s the first glance, though.
Those Bengals like to stick as close to an overall big board as possible, it seems. There are rare exceptions, though, which produced results like huge misses in the Billy Price range.
That theme in mind, paired with some recent draft news around the team, here’s a look at a few spots the Bengals could draft earlier than expected.
S
The Bengals have postured in recent weeks like a team content with Geno Stone and Jordan Battle at safety next season. But a recent pre-draft visit with a notable prospect suggests otherwise. Going after another costly safety so soon after Dax Hill is an interesting combination of risk and necessity, given how things have gone for that position since Jessie Bates left.
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RB
Meeting with Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty felt like due diligence. Also being mentioned alongside Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins makes things a little more interesting, though. The Bengals re-signed Samaje Perine to pair with Chase Brown, but one has to wonder if they might pull another Joe Mixon in Round 2 if they have a guy graded high enough. It’d certainly be another way to power up the offense, at least.
TE
Mike Gesicki’s re-signing doesn’t eliminate this position early. He’s effectively a big slot wideout and Drew Sample is a blocker first, receiver second, despite improvements in recent years. If a huge name falls in the first two rounds, one has to wonder if the Bengals won’t go for an all-around prospect who can sit atop the ...
