Bengals mock draft – Syndication Server

Bengals grab potential Tee Higgins replacement in Lance Zierlein’s first mock

If the Bengals can’t make it work with Tee Higgins, mock drafts offer solutions.

The Cincinnati Bengals still have a chance to retain wide receiver Tee Higgins before free agency opens in March. If not, the team will be in search for a weapon to pair with Ja’Marr Chase either in free agency or in the draft as the team will look to end their two-season playoff drought in 2025.

That potential draft scenario played out in the first mock draft from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. With the 17th pick, the Bengals select Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

“This pairing might be the most perfect scheme/roster fit in the entire mock. McMillan plays similarly to Drake London and Tee Higgins,” wrote Zierlein about the Wildcats’ star receiver. McMillan posted back-to-back seasons of at least 1,300 yards and had at least eight touchdowns in all three seasons at Arizona, catching 26 in total.

McMillan is considered by many to be the No. 1 wide receiver prospect in this class and for a team in Cincinnati that is always looking for weapons, landing such a player at No. 17 could end up being a very nice option. Some may want an edge rusher here for the Bengals and this mock does have the Bengals passing up players like Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M.

The Bengals’ ultimate decision on Higgins could end up going a long way toward the direction they go in the first round of the draft on April 24.

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Bengals ignore defense, upgrade offense in fresh 2-round NFL mock draft

The Bengals make some surprising choices in a new mock draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals already had one of the better offenses in the NFL in 2024. But entering the offseason, the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins once again looms large as Cincinnati has a tough decision to make regarding him as they also have Ja’Marr Chase to pay eventually.

The Bengals also struck gold with Chase Brown after Zack Moss went down with an injury this season and there’s no guarantee Moss returns to the team in 2025, so extra pieces could be needed there as well.

Both positions were attacked in the latest two-round mock draft from Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy.

First, at No. 17, the Bengals take a potential replacement for Higgins in Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka had over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in two of his last three seasons. He missed three games in 2023 due to an injury.

In the second round, the Bengals grab a new running mate for Chase Brown as they select Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson. Sampson had a monster breakout season in 2024, rushing for 1,491 yards and an incredible 22 touchdowns (both school records) in helping the Vols reach the College Football Playoff before losing to eventual national champion Ohio State, a game Sampson left early due to a hamstring injury. He rushed for over 100 yards in all but two games during the regular season.

Defense will certainly be of need this offseason, but there’s also free agency for that. The Bengals love offense and any chance they can get to upgrade that side of the football, they’ll take it.

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Bengals grab a fast-rising ‘disruptor’ in expert’s first mock draft

The Bengals go with a top prospect for their new defensive coordinator.

In a recent first annual mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Cincinnati Bengals took a risk that didn’t seem necessary.

But in a first annual mock draft from another expert, the Bengals get new defensive coordinator Al Golden some help at a key spot in a way fans will like.

There, the Bengals stick at No. 17 and grab Ole Miss interior defensive lineman Walter Nolen, courtesy of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “Nolen is a dynamic interior disruptor. He would be a key part of a turnaround under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden.”

Nolen would be a fantastic pick and represent the Bengals tripling down on attempting to fix the interior of the line after losing DJ Reader.

After racking up 6.5 sacks last year, Nolen’s explosive, 6’3″, 304-pound frame would join the rotation with sophomores Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson and make the front more dynamic.

As Bengals fans are fully aware since the Geno Atkins days, a reliable, consistent pass rush up the middle makes the lives of the defensive ends easier, too, so Nolen could help fix two things at once for the rebuilding defense.

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Cincinnati Bengals go with new name in latest expert mock draft

Here’s a new name for Bengals fans to know.

Most mock drafts could see the Cincinnati Bengals going edge rusher or maybe wide receiver, depending on what they do with Tee Higgins. We’ve even seen off-ball linebacker addressed.

The latest mock draft over at Sports Illustrated sees the Bengals attack the interior defensive line, selecting Derrick Harmon of Oregon.

“If the Bengals can’t re-sign Tee Higgins, a receiver is a viable option in this spot, but Cincinnati lacks pressure pieces on the interior of its defensive line,” wrote Daniel Flick. “Harmon can play inside and outside, and he’s consistently disruptive due to his combination of quickness, power and scheme versatility. After transferring from Michigan State, Harmon starred at Oregon, finishing tied for third in the nation with 43 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.”

Harmon showed an ability to get to the quarterback last season, recording five sacks for the Ducks. He also forced two fumbles and had two recoveries. Harmon can add versatility to the Bengals’ defensive line and would add pass-rush help, something the Bengals very much need after their lack of sacks outside of Trey Hendrickson.

Flick also lists cornerback and wide receiver as top needs for the Bengals along with the defensive line.

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Bengals get it wrong in Mel Kiper’s first 2025 NFL mock draft

The Bengals simply shouldn’t go this route.

The Cincinnati Bengals approach the 2025 NFL draft with a variety of major needs, which creates some interesting scenarios in mock drafts.

What the Bengals do in the first mock draft effort of the year from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., though, probably isn’t the best use of the team’s premium first-round resource.

There, Kiper has the Bengals at No. 17 with Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell:

How contract situations play out for Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase could pivot the calculus, but it’d be nearly impossible for Cincinnati to ignore the defense. Without a doubt, that unit kept the Bengals from the playoffs this season, allowing 25.5 points per game (25th). So I’m matching them with a prospect who does a little bit of everything on that side of the ball. Campbell had 112 tackles, 5 sacks, 12 run stops and an interception this season. He’s instinctive and explosive.

Make no mistake — Campbell is a fantastic prospect.

But linebacker probably shouldn’t be the play, especially with Logan Wilson still under contract and there being a faint hope that Germaine Pratt can turn things around if his old positional coach Al Golden really is on the way back to the team.

The Bengals have bigger needs, regardless. The next pick in Kiper’s mock is a guard prospect in Armand Membou. The one after that is a safety, Nick Emmanwori. A few picks later, top tight end Colston Loveland. Later in the round? Pass-rusher Nic Scourton.

Defense is a need, yes, but little will change if the trenches on both sides of the ball aren’t upgraded and other key spots aren’t refreshed.

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Bengals add star RB to Chase Brown-led backfield in new mock draft

The Bengals go with a huge name and best-in-class at his position in a new mock draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have something special with breakout running back Chase Brown.

But that hardly means the team won’t add to the position in a big way this offseason.

One idea? Drafting a high-profile name, which is what CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has the Bengals doing with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty in his latest mock draft:

Tee Higgins could move on this offseason despite a public campaign from Joe Burrow. If that were to happen, then there are other ways to supplement the pass game. Clyde Edwards-Helaire went on to be a first-round pick after working with Burrow. His contributions in the pass game were a big reason for that heavy investment.

The talk about the passing game there is meant to highlight Jeanty’s 2023 season in which he caught 43 passes for 569 yards and five scores. More impressive, though, are his 2,601 rushing yards and 29 scores on a 7.0 per-carry average that had him in the Heisman hunt this year.

Just like it’s hard to imagine the Bengals actually lose Tee Higgins at this point, it’s hard to imagine the team would actually spend a first-round pick on a running back right now.

But never say never applies — and the idea of Jeanty’s fit in a Joe Burrow offense is certainly fun.

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Bengals picks in latest 2-round mock draft attack problematic area

The Bengals attack one area specifically in a new mock draft.

The Cincinnati Bengals are entering an important offseason. Coming off back-to-back missed postseasons, the Bengals are tasked with figuring out how to keep wide receiver Tee Higgins and also are looking to revamp the defense.

The draft will also supply an opportunity for the Bengals to add some talent to help keep their championship window open. Cincinnati will hold the No. 17 pick in the first round.

Mock drafts are in full swing with college all-star games on the horizon. That includes the great Dane Brugler of The Athletic posting his second mock of the season. We’ll take a look here at his two picks for the Bengals — which attack the trenches.

First, at No. 17, the Bengals select Georgia Edge Mykel Williams. This would mark the second year in a row the Bengals take a player from Georgia. Last year, it was offensive tackle Amarius Mims. This one would add much-needed help in the pass rush. Trey Hendrickson can’t do it all, though he almost did in 2024 with a league-leading 17.5 sacks.

Williams brings a motor that would complement well with Hendrickson with room to grow.

“Last year, the Bengals drafted a toolsy offensive lineman from Georgia in the first round (Amarius Mims),” wrote Brugler. “They flip to the other side of the ball and do it again in this mock. Williams looked like a future top-10 pick as a freshman, but he didn’t quite reach dominant status over his three seasons in Athens. The talent, however, is there for him to grow into a game-wrecker off the edge.”

Williams recorded five sacks in 2024 and 14 for his career. He also forced two fumbles this season and had two sacks in the SEC Championship against Texas.

In the second round, pick No. 49, the Bengals add to the offensive line with Marcus Mbow of Purdue. Mbow is a three-year starter for the Boilermakers, having experience at both tackle and guard. He started all 12 games at tackle this season after missing the second half of the 2023 season with a broken leg.

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Bengals get help for Trey Hendrickson in ESPN mock draft

The Bengals go with a huge name in a new mock draft.

Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks this season, taking the sack crown for the 2024 campaign. And he did so without much help elsewhere. Joseph Ossai finished second with five sacks, followed by defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins with three each.

Finding someone to complement Hendrickson is a must this offseason with Sam Hubbard (two sacks in 2024) a potential cut candidate this offseason. That complement could come via the draft and that’s just what ESPN’s Jordan Reid did in his first mock since the regular season ended.

At No. 17, the Bengals go with James Pearce, edge, Tennessee. Pearce may not be near the top of the draft as some had projected him before the season, but he can still be a menace in getting after the quarterback. Pearce finished with 7.5 sacks this season and 19 for his three-year career with the Vols, including 17 in the last two seasons.

“The Bengals registered a sack on only 5.5% of dropbacks by opposing QBs this season (the sixth-worst rate in the NFL) despite the presence of NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson,” wrote Reid. “The 6-5, 243-pound Pearce is a lean, ultra-quick pass rusher who can race around blockers with ease. His 18.7% pressure rate ranked second in the FBS, resulting in 7.5 sacks. He could be the complementary pass rusher Cincinnati desperately needs.”

Cincinnati’s 36 sacks this season were tied for 7th-lowest in the league with the Indianapolis Colts. Hendrickson boosted that number, posting almost half of the team’s sacks. The silver lining is just five more sacks would have put them in the top half of the league. Grabbing a fast and athletic pass-rusher like Pearce would help boost the Bengals back among the better teams at getting to the quarterback, especially in a division where they see Lamar Jackson twice a year and going into a season where the Bengals see quarterbacks such as Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen and Jordan Love, to name a few.

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Bengals 2025 NFL mock draft: 3-round projection with pick secured

A first look at what the Bengals should do in the NFL draft now that the season is over.

The Cincinnati Bengals have packed it in for the 2024 season as they fell just short of reaching the playoffs for the second straight season. All eyes now turn to the offseason, where key questions linger throughout, not the least of which includes the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Part of that offseason is the always-exciting NFL draft, which this year takes place in Green Bay, WI on April 24-26. With the season over, mock drafts will be flying off the shelves. Let’s start here with a three-round mock, using the Pro Football Focus simulator.

17. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Despite having almost no help on the other side, Trey Hendrickson won the sack title with 17.5 sacks. Hendrickson desperately needs someone to help provide extra pass rush. It didn’t help that Sam Hubbard missed a lot of time with an injury and could be a cut candidate. Enter Mykel Williams, a big body with incredible athleticism but can still stand to develop as a pass-rusher. Williams had 5.5 sacks in 2024.

49. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Whether or not the Bengals re-sign Tee Higgins, they could stand to continue adding talent on offense, particularly after Jermaine Burton provided early negative returns. With Higgins, the Bengals are getting a player who caught 87 passes for almost 1,200 yards in 2024.

81. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

The injuries to Dax Hill, DJ Turner and DJ Ivey hurt this group and the jury remains out on Cam Taylor-Britt. Thomas would be an intriguing developmental prospect who could push for playing time in camp. Thomas had 53 tackles and an interception in 2024.

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Bengals draft projections find team a DJ Reader replacement

The Bengals again try to make up for the loss of DJ Reader in a new mock draft.

Technically speaking, the Cincinnati Bengals attempted to find a replacement for DJ Reader in last year’s draft with the duo of Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson.

But that won’t stop 2025 NFL mock drafts from doing the same thing again.

Bleacher Report’s latest draft outlook slotted the Bengals as a nice fit for Michigan star Mason Graham:

Lou Anarumo’s defense relies on the front four winning their matchups. They’re middle of the road in terms of blitz frequency and the unit was much reader when D.J. Reader was taking on double teams and eating up space for linebackers to attack. Graham isn’t an exact analog for Reader, but he would give the Bengals a high-potential star on the inside again.

When a defense is as bad as what the Bengals put on the field right now, new mock drafts aren’t going to care much that the team already drafted Jenkins and Jackson.

Both of those guys could turn out to be great players, but adding another blue-chip prospect at a good value in the first round is the smart approach.

Cincinnati almost oddly attempted to replace the massive Reader with a rotational platoon of smaller guys and that has backfired. Graham would be an ideal addition early in Round 1 capable of making the entire rest of the defense better.

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