The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the Cincinnati Bengals have added six new players to their roster. After a disastrous 2024 season, the Bengals opted to draft heavily into the defense. New defensive coordinator Al Golden’s handprints are all over this rookie class and he will have a chance to mold the Bengals defense in his vision.
Now that the class is final, here’s how I would grade them. These are just my opinions, but feel free to chime in below in the comments!
Round 1, Pick 17: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M:
My Grade: C
Reason: Stewart’s physical talent is undeniable, and the Bengals need help with their pass rush, so I can understand their thinking. He has all of the physical tools needed to become an absolute monster. I grade this pick a C because, in my opinion, there were other talented defenders on the board who could have made an instant impact in 2025.
Maikai Starks is, in my mind, a can’t-miss safety prospect for a team that sorely misses Jessie Bates III. He could have beaten Geno Stone for a starting spot in training camp. Jihaad Campbell is another player I think could have become an instant starter, but there were some concerns with his health, so I can understand passing on him a bit.
I will actively root for Stewart to become the next Myles Garrett, but I would have preferred less of a project with a premium pick
Round 2, Pick 49: Demetrius Knight, Linebacker, South Carolina:
My Grade: C-
Reason: I was all in on Georgia guard Tate Ratledge here, so I was likely going to be let down by anyone other than him at this spot. Outside of that, Knight’s age scares me a bit. He will be 25 by the time training camp starts. While that’s not “old” by any means, it makes me wonder about the future if he does come in and become the player the Bengals think he can be. The Bengals don’t typically like signing players after 30 years old, and Knight will be 29 after his rookie contract.
I would have gone with Tennessee defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott or Texas safety Andrew Mukuba in this spot if they didn’t want Ratledge. Those are two players I could see sticking around for years to come in Golden’s reshaped defense.
Round 3, Pick 81: Dylan Fair, Offensive Tackle, Georgia:
My Grade: B+
Reason: This is my favorite pick of the draft, honestly. I was all over Ratledge, but there is a lot to love about his college teammate, Fairchild. His wrestling background in high school is something I personally love. New offensive line coach Scott Peters has a background in martial arts, so I can see their two worlds colliding and Peters shaping Fairchild into a very good guard. The left guard spot should be his to lose heading into training camp.
Round 4, Pick 119: Dylan Barrett Carter, Linebacker, Clemson:
My Grade: C+
Reason: Carter is strong in man coverage and has the speed to follow tight ends and running backs down the field. The Bengals’ linebacker room needed that with Germaine Pratt likely to move on and Logan Wilson being the only real coverage linebacker in the room. Al Golden is a former linebackers coach, so the heavy investment in linebackers is something I can understand. I’d likely grade this a little higher if it were a safety prospect, but I can see the value in selecting Carter.
Round 5, Pick 153: Jalen Rivers, Guard/Tackle, Miami:
My Grade: B
Reason: At this spot, I really like what Rivers can bring. The Bengals value versatility in their offensive lineman, and he certainly brings that. Cody Ford is going to battle for a starting guard spot in training camp and if he were to win one, a swing tackle or guard is going to be important. The Bengals always seem to need someone to step in, and I think Rivers has that potential. Rivers’ versatility could cost Cordell Volson a roster spot if we’re being honest.
Round 6, Pick 193: Tahj Brooks, Running Back, Texas Tech:
My Grade: B+
Reason: I was never on the Bengals drafting a running back high, but I really like Brooks in this spot. Chase Brown is the undisputed RB1 of the Bengals offense, but Brooks could be a great change of pace. Zack Moss will be back after reworking his deal, so he will get carries, too. If Moss moves on after 2025, I see Brooks having real RB2 potential based on the Bengal’s system and his ability, though he leaves something to be desired when receiving out of the backfield.
Overall Grade:
I give this draft a C overall. It has the potential to be an A if everything pans out the way the Bengals seem to think it will, but there are a lot more unknowns in the first two rounds than I’d like for a team with a Super Bowl-ready offense.
With players on the board that I believe could have made a more immediate impact, I would have made some different decisions. In reality, grades now mean next to nothing. We won’t know the true impact of this class for a couple of years, at least.
With that said, the Bengals have scouts and evaluators in place, and I’m just a guy on the internet.