It worked in 2020.
In this five-part series, I ask “what if?” and explore different draft scenarios. In all, I will due 15 mock drafts and use this as an avenue of discussing 97 different prospects.
“Time. Space. Reality. It’s more than a linear path… I am your guide through these vast new realities.” – The Watcher – What If…?
The Bengals had a need at linebacker for a few years. Then, in 2020, they drafted three. The linebackers coach that season just so happened to be Al Golden. He got mid-round selections Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither involved right away as third-down specialists. Between Wilson, Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey, and Germaine Pratt, who was selected the year before, the Bengals haven’t had to worry about the position much until recently.
In this installment, we ask: what if they decide to “load up” yet again?
Specifically, we will focus on the three positions with new position coaches who were brought in specifically to develop young talent: Offensive line, defensive line, and linebacker.
Then, just for fun, we’ll look at what if they “loaded up” on Al Golden’s Notre Dame defenders.
Linebackers
17. DE James Pearce Jr. 6’5” 245 lbs Tennessee
49. S Kevin Winston Jr. 6’2” 215 lbs Penn State
81. LB Danny Stutsman 6’3” 233 lbs Oklahoma
119. LB Nick Martin 6’0” 221 lbs Oklahoma State
153. RB Damien Martinez 6’0” 217 lbs Miami
193. LB Jay Higgins 6’0” 224 lbs Iowa
Just like they did in 2020, the Bengals use their 3rd, 4th, and final selection on linebackers. All three fit their profile. They are excellent, high tacklers and can contribute in coverage and as blitzers, as well as in stopping the run. New linebackers coach Mike Hodges has a lot of talent to work with after this weekend.
The Bengals go with the highest upside player in Round 1, selecting Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. Pearce is tall, long, and explosive. He had 19,5 sacks in his career with the Volunteers and a 23 percent pass rush win rate in 2024. Speed is where he most often wins, and he will need to work with defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery to develop power moves. As of now, he looks and moves like a wide receiver. The Bengals will get him involved as a designated pass-rusher opposite Trey Hendrickson early in his career.
The Bengals take a safety in Round 2, adding Nittany Lions team captain Kevin Winston Jr. Winston is a versatile safety, who can excel from any alignment, but will look to become a true free safety with the Bengals. He has the tools, but coming off an injury and having somewhat limited starting experience as a result, he will take some time to grow into the position. Geno Stone will most likely retain the starting position, for now.
The Bengals 3rd round pick was known as a tremendous leader in the Oklahoma locker room and not just with the defense. Danny Stutsman started getting some more buzz after an impressive performance at the combine, but the Bengals had him on their radar long before that. To put it simply, on film, he is a Bengals linebacker: fast, productive, energetic, physical, and versatile.
From Norman to Stillwater, it was another linebacker for the Bengals in Round 4. Similar to Markus Bailey in the 2020 draft, Nick Martin missed much of his final season due to injury. If this were not the case, he never would have lasted until Day 3. Martin fits their mold with his speed, tackling ability, and mind-blowing production, having made 140 tackles in 2023. Stutsman and Martin will both push for a starting position in 2025, and with the increased use of three-linebacker sets, they will both play an important role.
The Bengals take a brief respite from defense in Round 5, to address their need at running back. Damien Martinez makes for an excellent complement to Chase Brown. He does not have the high-end speed of Brown, but he sees running lanes and does not go down without a fight.
In Round 6, the Bengals take arguably the best tackler in the draft in Jay Higgins. While he did not test particularly well, his apparent athletic deficit is not evident on film. He shows the burst and range to be effective in zone coverage and is a force against the run. The Higgins pick solidifies their depth at the position for the foreseeable future.
Defensive Linemen
17. LB Jihaad Campbell 6’3” 235 lbs Alabama
49. CB Trey Amos 6’1” 195 lbs Ole Miss
81. DT Ty Robinson 6’5” 288 lbs Nebraska
119. DT Aeneas Peebles 6’1” 282 lbs Virginia Tech
153. DE Fadil Diggs 6’4” 257 lbs Syracuse
193. DE Que Robinson 6’4” 243 lbs Alabama
Dan Pitcher could have taken an early weekend, as all of the Bengals’ picks were on the defensive side of the ball. This echoes their need for instant and substantial improvement on that side of the ball, which is, of course, the reason that Al Golden, Mike Hodges, and Jerry Montgomery are here. Arguably, the Bengals’ biggest coaching issue in recent years has been the languorous development of young defensive linemen. Montgomery was brought in specifically to fix that problem, and the way the Bengals draft shook down, he will get the chance to show what he can do.
In a surprise move, the Bengals selected linebacker Jihaad Campbell in Round 1. The Alabama defender is the clear top off-the-ball linebacker in this year’s draft. Campbell is the whole package at linebacker. He has played Mike and Will and can stuff the run, cover, and blitz. He was highly productive last season with 117 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss and five sacks. Germaine Pratt’s release immediately after the draft confirms that Campbell will immediately start next to Logan Wilson.
The Bengals go cornerback in Round 2, adding Ole Miss star Trey Amos. Amos oozes swagger. He has excellent movement skills, makes fast breaks in zone coverage, and has the ball skills to make a play when he gets there. Amos is a tough, physical player who seemingly has very little concern for his personal well-being as he regularly throws himself into the ball carrier or blocker in order to make a play. Amos will compete with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner for a job on the outside.
After hitting every other level of the defense, the Bengals finally addressed the defensive line in Round 3, adding Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson. Tipping the scales at a mere 288, Robinson still brings the power that you want on your defensive interior. He is a disrupter in the pass game who had 42 pressures and seven sacks this season and has a knack for knocking the ball down when he can’t get there on time. He might not be an extraordinary athlete, but he plays like his hair is on fire on every snap. Robinson will find his way onto the field on third downs despite the deep group of defensive tackles already in Cincinnati.
The Bengals add another interior pass rusher in Round 4 with Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles. While he lacks the production of a Robinson, he has the same level of passion and pursuit. Peebles is a plus athlete who can win one-on-one or by use of defensive line movement schemes. Peebles brings a different type of athleticism to the Bengals front and will have the opportunity to earn a specific stunt-package role as a rookie while developing other skills.
The Bengals move to the edge of the defensive line in Round 5, adding Syracuse’s Fadil Diggs. The Texas A&M transfer brings the versatility that Al Golden looks for in his Viper position. He is an excellent run stropper who can get after the quarterback or drop into coverage. Diggs has some nice get-off moves and is an explosive tackler. He plays a bit high on the line of scrimmage, and it is to be determined if that will work for him at the next level. He had 14 tackles for a loss and seven sacks for the Orangemen last season. Let’s see what he can do in orange and black stripes.
When it selected Que Robinson in Round 6, Cincinnati got a much different response from draft analyst Nick Saban than it got the last time it selected one of his former players. Robinson was a Saban favorite and a core special teams player. He is undersized and saw action defensively as a rotational piece. Although he has areas of his game that are still under development, he was never a liability when seeing action as a sub.
Offensive Linemen
17. DT Walter Nolen 6’4” 296 lbs Ole Miss
49. OG Jonah Savaiinaea 6’4” 324 lbs Arizona
81. OT Charles Grant 6’5” 311 lbs William & Mary
119. OG Dylan Fairchild 6’5” 318 lbs Georgia
153. RB Ollie Gordon II 6’1” 226 lbs Oklahoma State
193. LB Francisco Mauigoa 6’2” 233 lbs Miami
There is a lot of hope that the Bengals finally found the offensive line coach they need to develop talent to protect Joe Burrow. After this draft, Scott Peters will have an opportunity to establish himself as a top offensive line coach.
It started across the line of scrimmage with the selection of the draft’s best interior pass rusher, Walter Nolen. Nolen causes chaos on the line of scrimmage and carnage in the backfield. He has good pass-rush moves and holds the line against the run. Nolen has violent hands and explosive hips. He could truly be a game-changer for Al Golden’s defense. Look for him to play a large role immediately and gradually eat into B.J. Hill’s snap count throughout his rookie campaign.
Jonah Savaiinaea played both tackle spots and some guard at Arizona. Savaiinaea has extensive experience in pass protection and has the chops to make it to the next level. As a run blocker, he shows athleticism on his pulls and power with frequent pancake blocks. He will be the Bengals starting right guard in 2025.
In Round 3, the Bengals look for an upgrade at swing tackle and perhaps the left tackle of the future with Charles Grant. Grant played at FCS Williams & Mary and was a finalist for the Walter Peyton Award (essentially the FCS Heisman), a rarity for an offensive lineman. Grant was a four-year starter at left tackle but is still a bit raw. All of the tools are there for him to develop into an excellent pro. This could be Scott Peter’s masterpiece.
The Bengals continue to solidify their offensive line, adding Goergia’s Dylan Fairchild in Round 4. He moves well and can track and block defenders in space. He has excellent hands, but his anchor in pass protection needs work. While Savaiinaea walks into a starting role on the right side, Fairchild has a little bit more to go. He will compete with Cordell Volson and Cody Ford for the starting spot at left guard.
As a wrestler, Fairchild won a state championship at Georgia’s highest level, and as a walk-on for the Bulldogs, he eventually won a scholarship and a starting spot. When Fairchild puts his mind to something, he gets it done.
Of course, the Bengals go for a dynamic runner in Round 5 because what else would you do after building up your offensive line? Ollie Gordon Jr. is coming off a down season at Oklahoma State, but his statistical decline is more a matter of situation than any sort of personal flaw. Gordon is a big, downhill, one-cut runner who has big play potential. He has proven himself as a reliable pass catcher who can turn checkdowns into first downs. Gordon will be an excellent addition to Chase Brown in the Bengals backfield. He can do a lot of the same things, so he can lighten Brown’s load without limiting Zac Taylor’s offense.
While the Bengals draft focused on offense, it started and ended with defense. In Round 6, they add Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a violent tackler, who will rock you like a Hurricane. He is strong in zone coverage and shows excellent burst in his breaks. Mauigoa has some athletic limitations, but he reads and reacts very well. He is team-captain with a clean injury sheet and extensive special teams experience, making him a fantastic late round addition.
Golden’s Boys
17. S Nick Emmanwori 6’3” 220 lbs South Carolina
49. CB Benjamin Morrison 6’0” 193 lbs Notre Dame
81. OG Wyatt Milum 6’7” 313 lbs West Virginia
119. RB Devin Neal 5’11” 213 lbs Kansas
153. DT Rylie Mills 6’5” 291 lbs Notre Dame
193. LB Jack Kiser 6’2” 231 lbs Notre Dame
The Bengals have put a lot of faith in new defensive coordinator Al Golden to turn this thing around. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they doubled down on this by selecting three of the four captains from Golden’s Notre Dame defensive a year ago. Only Xavier Watts, who went a few picks ahead of their second selection, did not end up following Golden to Cincinnati; however, they got an even better player at his position.
The Bengals go a surprising route with their first selection, taking South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. On top of fantastic measurables, Emmanwori has extremely impressive film. Despite being one of the biggest safeties you’d ever care to meet, Emmanwori is not simply a box player. He excels all over the field. Emmanwori could be special. This is the type of player who can give an identity to a listless defense.
The Bengals keep it in the defensive backfield, selecting Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison in Round 2. Al Golden ran more man coverage than anyone a year ago and, as well as being a team captain, Morrison was the best cover man in his arsenal. If not for the hip injury that shortened his season, Morrison never would have made it to this point in the draft. He will compete with Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, and DJ Turner for a role in the secondary. Week-to-week matchups could play a large role in determining which of these players we see more of.
In Round 3, the Bengals fill an offensive need by selecting West Virginia guard Wyatt Milum. Milum played left tackle collegiately, showing excellent strength and athleticism, but what makes him best suited for this team is his demeanor with a capital MEAN. Milum is tall but has short arms and projects inside. He will be the favorite to start at one of the guard positions this fall.
As Day 2 two concluded, the board was still loaded with running backs. The Bengals get in on the Round 4 run by selecting Kansas State’s Devin Neal. Neal is an exceptionally balanced player who can play on any down and contribute as a runner, receiver, and blocker. The Bengals value consistency, and Neal is the picture of consistency.
The Bengals head back to the fertile fields of South Bend for their last two picks. In Round 4, they take defensive tackle Rylie Mills. Mills gives their defense a much stronger interior rusher than they have had in recent years, The Notre Dame team captain is a passionate hustler who fits in perfectly with the team culture. Although his recovery from an ACL injury suffered in the playoffs may delay his NFL debut, he will be there to help the team make a push down the line.
The Bengals final selection is another Irish captain, Jack Kiser. The linebacker will compete for a role early, despite being a late round selection, and could very well start alongside Logan Wilson in the near future, Kiser played his best on the biggest stage, making a name for himself in the team’s playoff run.
Be sure to check back on Cincy Jungle for the next installment on this 5-part series.
Yes, there will be trades, and yes, that trade will be explored.
If you missed the BPA article, check it out here.