NFL Draft What If: What if the Bengals determine to “Load Up” at one place?

On this five-part sequence, I ask “what if?” and discover completely different draft eventualities. In all, I’ll due 15 mock drafts and use this as an avenue of discussing 97 completely different prospects.

“Time. Area. Actuality. It’s greater than a linear path… I’m your information by way of these huge new realities.” – The Watcher – What If…?

The Bengals had a necessity at linebacker for a number of years. Then, in 2020, they drafted three. The linebackers coach that season simply so occurred to be Al Golden. He received mid-round alternatives Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither concerned instantly as third-down specialists. Between Wilson, Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey, and Germaine Pratt, who was chosen the yr earlier than, the Bengals haven’t needed to fear in regards to the place a lot till lately.

On this installment, we ask: what in the event that they determine to “load up” but once more?

Particularly, we’ll deal with the three positions with new place coaches who have been introduced in particularly to develop younger expertise: Offensive line, line of defense, and linebacker.

Then, only for enjoyable, we’ll have a 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

Similar to they did in 2020, the Bengals use their third, 4th, and last choice on linebackers. All three match their profile. They’re glorious, excessive tacklers and might contribute in protection and as blitzers, in addition to in stopping the run. New linebackers coach Mike Hodges has numerous expertise to work with after this weekend.

The Bengals go together with the best upside participant in Spherical 1, deciding on Tennessee defensive finish James Pearce Jr. Pearce is tall, lengthy, and explosive. He had 19,5 sacks in his profession with the Volunteers and a 23 % move rush win charge in 2024. Pace is the place he most frequently wins, and he might want to work with line of defense coach Jerry Montgomery to develop energy strikes. As of now, he seems to be and strikes like a large receiver. The Bengals will get him concerned as a chosen pass-rusher reverse Trey Hendrickson early in his profession.

The Bengals take a security in Spherical 2, including Nittany Lions workforce captain Kevin Winston Jr. Winston is a flexible security, who can excel from any alignment, however will look to turn into a real free security with the Bengals. He has the instruments, however coming off an harm and having considerably restricted beginning expertise consequently, he’ll take a while to develop into the place. Geno Stone will almost definitely retain the beginning place, for now.

The Bengals third spherical choose was referred to as an incredible chief within the Oklahoma locker room and never simply with the protection. Danny Stutsman began getting some extra buzz after a powerful efficiency on the mix, however the Bengals had him on their radar lengthy earlier than that. To place it merely, on movie, he’s a Bengals linebacker: quick, productive, energetic, bodily, and versatile.

From Norman to Stillwater, it was one other linebacker for the Bengals in Spherical 4. Just like Markus Bailey within the 2020 draft, Nick Martin missed a lot of his last season because of harm. If this weren’t the case, he by no means would have lasted till Day 3. Martin suits their mildew together with his pace, tackling capability, and mind-blowing manufacturing, having made 140 tackles in 2023. Stutsman and Martin will each push for a beginning place in 2025, and with the elevated use of three-linebacker units, they’ll each play an essential position.

The Bengals take a short respite from protection in Spherical 5, to handle their want at working again. Damien Martinez makes for a superb complement to Chase Brown. He doesn’t have the high-end pace of Brown, however he sees working lanes and doesn’t go down with no battle.

In Spherical 6, the Bengals take arguably the very best tackler within the draft in Jay Higgins. Whereas he didn’t take a look at significantly properly, his obvious athletic deficit just isn’t evident on movie. He reveals the burst and vary to be efficient in zone protection and is a drive towards the run. The Higgins choose solidifies their depth on the place 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 may have taken an early weekend, as the entire Bengals’ picks have been on the defensive facet of the ball. This echoes their want for immediate and substantial enchancment on that facet of the ball, which is, in fact, the explanation that Al Golden, Mike Hodges, and Jerry Montgomery are right here. Arguably, the Bengals’ largest teaching problem lately has been the languorous improvement of younger defensive linemen. Montgomery was introduced in particularly to repair that downside, and the best way the Bengals draft shook down, he’ll get the possibility to point out what he can do.

In a shock transfer, the Bengals chosen linebacker Jihaad Campbell in Spherical 1. The Alabama defender is the clear high off-the-ball linebacker on this yr’s draft. Campbell is the entire package deal at linebacker. He has performed Mike and Will and might stuff the run, cowl, and blitz. He was extremely productive final season with 117 tackles, together with 11.5 for a loss and 5 sacks. Germaine Pratt’s launch instantly after the draft confirms that Campbell will instantly begin subsequent to Logan Wilson.

The Bengals go cornerback in Spherical 2, including Ole Miss star Trey Amos. Amos oozes swagger. He has glorious motion abilities, makes quick breaks in zone protection, and has the ball abilities to make a play when he will get there. Amos is a troublesome, bodily participant who seemingly has little or no concern for his private well-being as he frequently throws himself into the ball provider or blocker so as to make a play. Amos will compete with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner for a job on the surface.

After hitting each different stage of the protection, the Bengals lastly addressed the line of defense in Spherical 3, including Nebraska defensive deal with Ty Robinson. Tipping the scales at a mere 288, Robinson nonetheless brings the facility that you really want in your defensive inside. He’s a disrupter within the move recreation who had 42 pressures and 7 sacks this season and has a knack for knocking the ball down when he can’t get there on time. He won’t be a rare athlete, however he performs like his hair is on fireplace on each snap. Robinson will discover his approach onto the sphere on third downs regardless of the deep group of defensive tackles already in Cincinnati.

The Bengals add one other inside move rusher in Spherical 4 with Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles. Whereas he lacks the manufacturing of a Robinson, he has the identical stage of ardour and pursuit. Peebles is a plus athlete who can win one-on-one or by use of line of defense motion schemes. Peebles brings a special sort of athleticism to the Bengals entrance and could have the chance to earn a selected stunt-package position as a rookie whereas creating different abilities.

The Bengals transfer to the sting of the line of defense in Spherical 5, including Syracuse’s Fadil Diggs. The Texas A&M switch brings the flexibility that Al Golden seems to be for in his Viper place. He is a wonderful run stropper who can get after the quarterback or drop into protection. Diggs has some good get-off strikes and is an explosive tackler. He performs a bit excessive on the road of scrimmage, and it’s to be decided if that may work for him on the subsequent stage. He had 14 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks for the Orangemen final season. Let’s see what he can do in orange and black stripes.

When it chosen Que Robinson in Spherical 6, Cincinnati received a a lot completely different response from draft analyst Nick Saban than it received the final time it chosen one among his former gamers. Robinson was a Saban favourite and a core particular groups participant. He’s undersized and noticed motion defensively as a rotational piece. Though he has areas of his recreation which can be nonetheless beneath improvement, he was by no means a legal responsibility when seeing motion 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 may be numerous hope that the Bengals lastly discovered the offensive line coach they should develop expertise to guard Joe Burrow. After this draft, Scott Peters could have a possibility to ascertain himself as a high offensive line coach.

It began throughout the road of scrimmage with the choice of the draft’s finest inside move rusher, Walter Nolen. Nolen causes chaos on the road of scrimmage and carnage within the backfield. He has good pass-rush strikes and holds the road towards the run. Nolen has violent palms and explosive hips. He may really be a game-changer for Al Golden’s protection. Search for him to play a big position instantly and steadily eat into B.J. Hill’s snap rely all through his rookie marketing campaign.

Jonah Savaiinaea performed each deal with spots and a few guard at Arizona. Savaiinaea has intensive expertise in move safety and has the chops to make it to the following stage. As a run blocker, he reveals athleticism on his pulls and energy with frequent pancake blocks. He would be the Bengals beginning proper guard in 2025.

In Spherical 3, the Bengals search for an improve at swing deal with and maybe the left deal with of the longer term with Charles Grant. Grant performed at FCS Williams & Mary and was a finalist for the Walter Peyton Award (primarily the FCS Heisman), a rarity for an offensive lineman. Grant was a four-year starter at left deal with however remains to be a bit uncooked. The entire instruments are there for him to turn into a superb professional. This may very well be Scott Peter’s masterpiece.

The Bengals proceed to solidify their offensive line, including Goergia’s Dylan Fairchild in Spherical 4. He strikes properly and might observe and block defenders in house. He has glorious palms, however his anchor in move safety wants work. Whereas Savaiinaea walks right into a beginning position on the appropriate facet, Fairchild has slightly bit extra to go. He’ll compete with Cordell Volson and Cody Ford for the beginning spot at left guard.

As a wrestler, Fairchild received a state championship at Georgia’s highest stage, and as a walk-on for the Bulldogs, he ultimately received a scholarship and a beginning spot. When Fairchild places his thoughts to one thing, he will get it achieved.

In fact, the Bengals go for a dynamic runner in Spherical 5 as a result of what else would you do after increase your offensive line? Ollie Gordon Jr. is coming off a down season at Oklahoma State, however his statistical decline is extra a matter of state of affairs than any form of private flaw. Gordon is an enormous, downhill, one-cut runner who has large play potential. He has confirmed himself as a dependable move catcher who can flip checkdowns into first downs. Gordon might be a superb addition to Chase Brown within the Bengals backfield. He can do numerous the identical issues, so he can lighten Brown’s load with out limiting Zac Taylor’s offense.

Whereas the Bengals draft targeted on offense, it began and ended with protection. In Spherical 6, they add Miami linebacker Francisco Mauigoa. Mauigoa is a violent tackler, who will rock you want a Hurricane. He’s sturdy in zone protection and reveals glorious burst in his breaks. Mauigoa has some athletic limitations, however he reads and reacts very properly. He’s team-captain with a clear harm sheet and intensive particular groups expertise, making him a improbable late spherical 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 numerous religion in new defensive coordinator Al Golden to show this factor round. Within the 2025 NFL Draft, they doubled down on this by deciding on three of the 4 captains from Golden’s Notre Dame defensive a yr in the past. Solely Xavier Watts, who went a number of picks forward of their second choice, didn’t find yourself following Golden to Cincinnati; nonetheless, they received a fair higher participant at his place.

The Bengals go a stunning route with their first choice, taking South Carolina security Nick Emmanwori. On high of improbable measurables, Emmanwori has extraordinarily spectacular movie. Regardless of being one of many largest safeties you’d ever care to satisfy, Emmanwori just isn’t merely a field participant. He excels everywhere in the subject. Emmanwori may very well be particular. That is the kind of participant who can provide an identification to a listless protection.

The Bengals maintain it within the defensive backfield, deciding on Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison in Spherical 2. Al Golden ran extra man protection than anybody a yr in the past and, in addition to being a workforce captain, Morrison was the very best cowl man in his arsenal. If not for the hip harm that shortened his season, Morrison by no means would have made it so far within the draft. He’ll compete with Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, and DJ Turner for a job within the secondary. Week-to-week matchups may play a big position in figuring out which of those gamers we see extra of.

In Spherical 3, the Bengals fill an offensive want by deciding on West Virginia guard Wyatt Milum. Milum performed left deal with collegiately, displaying glorious energy and athleticism, however what makes him finest fitted to this workforce is his demeanor with a capital MEAN. Milum is tall however has brief arms and tasks inside. He would be the favourite to begin at one of many guard positions this fall.

As Day 2 two concluded, the board was nonetheless loaded with working backs. The Bengals get in on the Spherical 4 run by deciding on Kansas State’s Devin Neal. Neal is an exceptionally balanced participant who can play on any down and contribute as a runner, receiver, and blocker. The Bengals worth consistency, and Neal is the image of consistency.

The Bengals head again to the fertile fields of South Bend for his or her final two picks. In Spherical 4, they take defensive deal with Rylie Mills. Mills provides their protection a a lot stronger inside rusher than they’ve had lately, The Notre Dame workforce captain is a passionate hustler who suits in completely with the workforce tradition. Though his restoration from an ACL harm suffered within the playoffs could delay his NFL debut, he might be there to assist the workforce make a push down the road.

The Bengals last choice is one other Irish captain, Jack Kiser. The linebacker will compete for a job early, regardless of being a late spherical choice, and will very properly begin alongside Logan Wilson within the close to future, Kiser performed his finest on the most important stage, making a reputation for himself within the workforce’s playoff run.

Make sure to examine again on Cincy Jungle for the following installment on this 5-part sequence.

Sure, there might be trades, and sure, that commerce might be explored.

If you happen to missed the BPA article, test it out right here.