2025 Cincinnati Bengals Draft Profile

Team Needs: DL, LB, Edge, Safety

Despite a historic season from Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals had a lack luster season. Injuries on top of a historically bad defense held the team back from making the playoffs. After making some major roster moves, they are looking to improve a top-heavy roster.

After paying both of their top receivers record setting contracts, the Bengals have to turn to the NFL draft to fill the roster. Luckily, this is a defensive draft that can yield the game changers they need.

 

Possible Targets

Derrick Harmon – Defensive Lineman, Oregon

Oluwafemi Oladejo – Edge, UCLA

Dan Jackson – Safety, Georgia

The Bengals have some young talent in their front seven that has shown promise but they lack a true momentum shifter up front, especially with Trey Hendrickson’s situation in limbo.

The interior defensive line is porous and the edges aren’t steady outside of Hendrickson. They will need to address those areas in the first two days of the draft.

Starting with the interior, Cincinnati can get one of the best defensive tackles in the class in the first round.

Derrick Harmon is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft class. Not only is he massive but his athleticism and bend are near the top in the class.

He can disrupt run plays as a two-gap tackle or rush the passer as a three-technique end. Adding him next to another young piece like Kris Jenkins Jr. would give the Bengals a nasty young duo for the next couple of years.

While the interior may be solidified on day one, the edges will need to be the next priority. Hendrickson’s future is unknown at this point and they will need to get a young pass rusher to depend on regardless of his outcome.

One of the best kept secrets in this class is edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo. He made the move from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher at UCLA and has excelled in the role totaling five sacks in 2024.

Oladejo has the athleticism to drop into zones and the length to disrupt passing lanes. Despite not playing the position for as long as other prospects, he has a very polished pass rushing repertoire that could help him make an easy transition to the NFL.

Having a player like him could either ease the blow of losing Hendrickson or end up being a young running-mate for him.

Cincinnati has a loaded secondary but getting more depth is never a bad thing. The team could look to add a safety or get a versatile player to convert to a different position and make an impact.

One player that fits the bill is Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson.

Jackson is a very underrated player who’s had a productive college career at one of the premier programs in college football. That being said, he has the framework to make the transition to linebacker on a team in need.

The Georgia alum is a heatseeking missile in the run game and plays coverage with the savvy of a veteran. He could put on around 20-30 pounds and play a similar role to players like Drue Tranquill or Henry To’oTo’o. Spending a day-three pick on a high upside player like that is how the good teams build championship rosters in today’s NFL.

A historically bad defense could become an average-to-good defense with a solid draft. The Bengals have to hit on their picks and this class has a load of gems to pick from.