Since their improbable Super Bowl run in 2021, which ended with a close call loss to the Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals have fallen back. A combination of injuries and the improvement of their rivals combined to hurt Cincy with the NFL future Odds. Still, as long as the Bengals have Joe Burrow at quarterback, they have a shot. But two consecutive seasons out of the playoffs have fans and gamblers getting antsy. Thus, the 2025 NFL Draft will be an important one for the Bengals. Cincinnati is in desperate need of good news and a shot in the arm.
2025 NFL Draft Cincinnati Bengals
| Dates: | April 24-26, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| SBG Odds to Win Super Bowl Championship: | +1800 |
| 2025 SBG NFL Draft Odds: | Click Here |
2025 Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Team Preview
Indeed, the 2024 season was an organizational failure for the Cincinnati Bengals to miss the playoffs. Joe Burrow was an MVP finalist. It’s hard to miss the playoffs when your quarterback plays at that level. Yet the Bengals did it.
The biggest offshore bookmaker culprit was a defense that fell apart under coordinator Lou Anarumo. The Bengals fired Anarumo and hired Al Golden, who was Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator last season. Overall, that was probably a necessary step, but a talent infusion is needed, too.
The Bengals have mismanaged the receiver position when it comes to contracts. Somehow, they didn’t get Ja’Marr Chase signed to a big extension before last season. And then Chase won the receiving triple crown, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Now it will cost the Bengals more to re-sign Chase.
Following Tee Higgins’ big year on the franchise tag, he is being tagged for the second straight season. That could very well lead to him signing a lucrative long-term deal with the team. All signs point to Higgins remaining in Cincinnati.
But another star player, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, was reportedly permitted to seek a 2025 NFL futures trade after leading the NFL in sacks in 2024. He’d be a potentially massive loss for a defense already short on talent.
On the whole, the 2024 season was horrendous for the Bengals, wasting a year of Burrow’s prime, and the offseason will be difficult.
Cincinnati Bengals 2025 NFL Draft Summary
Top three needs for the Bengals: Edge, LB, S. Still, Cincinnati is looking for a long-term edge rusher who can take over when DE Trey Hendrickson’s prolific run comes to an end. Last season, Joseph Ossai showed some flashes. But the Bengals could still use another dominant pass rusher. Elsewhere on the defense, a linebacker who could start in a year or two would be helpful. The Bengals have not seriously addressed that position in the draft since 2020. Also, landing a free safety to play behind Geno Stone is important.
Namely, the Prospect to fill a need outside Round 1 is James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee. Pearce is the speedy pass rusher the Bengals need opposite Hendrickson. Or he could serve as the backup plan should Hendrickson sit out the 2025 season following a trade request.
The Bengals need all the help they can get on the defensive side. Trey Hendrickson is by far their best defensive player. Of major concern is that there’s a chance he might not be on the roster come Week 1 because of a lengthy contract dispute.