Cincinnati is able to fill holes with the best available players.
Two down and one to go.
With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the books, that just leaves Trey Hendrickson. It’s obviously not going to be an easy negotiation, but for the purposes of this latest mock draft, we will assume that the Bengals’ front office will find a way to get it done.
That being said, the three biggest needs for the Cincinnati Bengals are defensive end, defensive tackle, and offensive guard. And the nice thing is that they should be able to fill all three needs with the best player available — the best of both worlds.
Round 1, 17th Overall
With the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals select…
Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Williams has the size that the Bengals covet in a defensive end. While his college production was not what you might expect (he finished his three-year Bulldog career with 14 sacks, including five in 2024), the sky is the limit. Williams boasts that rare combination of power, length, and natural ability and showed flashes of dominance, but his inconsistency will give some teams pause.
However, if new defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery can help Williams expand his pass rush arsenal while making the most of his physical gifts, the Bengals could have a true game-changer on their hands.
Round 2, 49th Overall
With the 49th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals select…
Tyleik Williams, Defensive Line, The Ohio State University
It was not that long ago that the Bengals boasted a 330-pound run-stuffing behemoth in the middle of their defense. But when they let DJ Reader walk to the Detroit Lions, that same defense lost its way. Cincinnati hoped to remedy that with the signing of free agent T.J. Slaton and look to add another one in Williams.
Williams, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 334 pounds, is that rare athlete who brings three-down potential. He has explosive power and nimble feet for such a big man and was able to dominate against top competition. Expect him to make an immediate impact as a run defender while developing into a pass-rush threat over time.
Round 3, 81st Overall
With the 81st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft the Cincinnati Bengals select…
Wyatt Milum, Guard, West Virginia
At 6-foot-6.5 and 313 pounds, Milum is an imposing figure who is ready to contribute immediately. His combination of power, technical skill and production make him an asset in the run game, and he has shown the ability to hold up against the pass.
While Milum played left tackle, he is projected to move to guard in the NFL due to his shorter arms. He actually moved to guard for the Senior Bowl.
Some publications list Milum as an early Day 2 target, but if he is still waiting when the Bengals draft in Round 3, this one would be a no-brainer decision for Cincinnati.
How do you like this three-round draft for the Bengals?
