Bengals 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Free agency decisions, inactivity create clear holes Cincinnati must fill with rookies

2.49: Ohio State EDGE Jack Sawyer

As of this posting, Trey Hendrickson is still on the roster and the Bengals are trying to extend his contract. Even with Hendrickson, the Bengals need at least one more pass rusher to help off the edge. Sawyer doesn't have ideal length for an edge defender and there's likely a good reason why he didn't test at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. Regardless, he's got a promising pass-rushing profile for a Day 2 pick and checks the Bengals' usual boxes as a former five-star recruit who's played in big games. 

It would surprise very few Bengals fans to see Sawyer, a former in-state Buckeye effectively take recently-retired Sam Hubbard's roster spot going forward.

3.81: Clemson LB Barrett Carter

There haven't been any developments regarding the Bengals' plan with Germaine Pratt. The veteran linebacker requested a trade last month and is still hanging in limbo. The Bengals didn't want to dip into any lucrative waters on the open market at his position, but Oren Burks coming to town is a decent first step. I still think a Day 2 linebacker is in play, and Carter, another former five-star, makes a ton of sense in the third round. 

Carter met with the Bengals at the combine and weighed in at 231 pounds with 32" arms. It's a relatively small LB class, so Carter stands out a bit along with pretty decent production against the pass. He'll be an instant asset in coverage, which was where Pratt has struggled. 

4.119: Georgia G Dylan Fairchild

The Bengals will eventually draft a guard, and the fourth round is historically a spot they take a swing. 14 years ago they used their fourth-rounder on former Georgia guard Clint Boling, whom started for seven years at left guard on four playoff teams in Cincinnati. Their next left guard could be another former Bulldog in Fairchild, a starter for the past two years at the position who allowed just one sack last year and zero the year prior. 

Cincinnati sent offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher and offensive line coach Scott Peters to Georgia's pro day last week. If they don't draft one of Tate Ratledge or Jared Wilson on Day 2, Fairchild is a solid backup plan to kick off Day 3. 

5.153: South Carolina RB Raheim Sanders

Bringing Samaje Perine back into the fold gives the Bengals a high-floor RB3, but RB2 could still be found in a stacked draft class. Sanders brings the size of Perine with the home run long speed Chase Brown has. 

Zac Taylor's Bengals have never drafted a running back earlier than the fifth round. I don't think there will be one picked before then this year either since it's such a strong class. 

6.193: Iowa State T Jalen Travis

There are some absolute behemoths at offensive tackle in this year's class, including the 6'8" 339-pound Travis, who met with the Bengals at the combine.

There remains a need for a swing tackle behind equally large starters Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. Don't be surprised if this gets filled with one of their last picks.