Cincinnati Bengals draft picks 2025: NFL draft order, team needs, rumors, mock drafts, projections

The Cincinnati Bengals should listen to the words of Sonny LoSpecchio from the hit movie A Bronx Tale: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” 

The franchise is armed with one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in Joe Burrow and boasts arguably the top receiving duo in the league in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Despite the firepower of a top-10 scoring offense, the organization floundered to begin the 2024 season and, despite a 5-0 surge down the stretch, were on the outside looking in on the playoffs for the second consecutive season and for the third time in the Burrow era. 

While injuries have played their part in the franchise’s tough sledding in recent years, they’ve also struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball, which has put the organization behind the eight-ball in games against high-level competition. Last year, Cincinnati allowed 25.5 points per game (tied for the fifth-highest in the league) and surrendered touchdowns on 67.9% of their opponents’ trips into the red zone (third-worst). 

So, while the Bengals made headlines this offseason after successfully inking both Chase and Higgins to lucrative contract extensions, for the franchise to get back to the Super Bowl, that defensive side of the ball needs to improve dramatically. 

With that in mind, the attention now turns to the NFL Draft, where the club is situated with the No. 17 overall selection in the first round. It is nearly a clean sweep from our CBS Sports NFL Draft experts in their mocks that Cincinnati will use that pick to add to its defense, but it remains to be seen who they bring aboard. Meanwhile, the status of pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is still up in the air, making this AFC contender one of the more interesting teams during draft weekend. 

As we gear up for the madness, check out our hub for everything revolving around the Bengals and the 2025 NFL Draft. Below, you’ll find their top needs, where they are selecting, and who some of our experts have them selecting in their latest mocks. 

Check out the latest NFL mock drafts from experts as part of CBS Sports’ full coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft, which kicks off Thursday night from Green Bay, Wisconsin. Familiarize yourself with the 2025 NFL Draft order, the latest draft day intel and learn what each team’s best-case-scenario pick looks like. For more in-depth draft analysis, check out “With the First Pick” podcast with host Ryan Wilson and former Titans general manager Ran Carthon.

Cincinnati Bengals team needs

• Team needs: EDGE, IOL, CB, DL, LB, S, RB
• Notable additions: DT TJ Slaton, EDGE Joseph Ossai, LB Oren Burks, OG Lucas Patrick
• Notable losses: OG Alex Cappa, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DT Sheldon Rankins, OT Trent Brown

Cincinnati Bengals draft picks 2025

• Overall selections: 6

Cincinnati Bengals mock drafts, projections

R.J. White: Mykel Williams — The Bengals are -155 to take a DL/edge with their first pick and Williams is -130 to go Over 15.5, which takes him out of range for the Falcons. This seems like a great landing spot as a result, and he also makes sense in a trade-up scenario for the Chargers at No. 16. Williams is the last relative lock to go in Round 1 at the edge position at DraftKings (he currently isn’t even available to bet, unlike Stewart and Green, though his draft position odds slot him behind those two players).

Chris Trapasso: Josh Conerly Jr. — The Bengals can’t go into the 2025 season with Cordell Volson and Cody Ford as their two starting guards. Conerly can play inside if need be but has tackle length and had squeaky clean film in pass pro and when on the move for the run game.

Ryan Wilson: Nick Emmanwori — Let’s start with the measurables: 6-foot-3, 231 pounds, 32.5-inch arms, a 43-inch vertical and a 4.38 40 time. This is basically what it looks like when you build the perfect safety in the lab. But here’s the thing: Emmanwori’s game tape matches the measuring tape; he has some of the best ball skills in the class and he’s just as good against the run; he can come downhill and thump the ball-carrier or carry the tight end or slot receiver in coverage, and he’s an even better person.