A new name to keep track of in the defensive backfield.
We’re now less than two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Cincinnati Bengals are busily rounding out their big board. A part of that is bringing in prospects for pre-draft visits. One such prospect is Marshall safety JJ Roberts, who came to Cincinnati on Wednesday, according to The Sportsdudeheinz Show.
Roberts, at 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, is a safety trapped in a cornerback body. He led Marshall in tackles and the Sun Belt in passes defensed in 2024. He’s a hard hitter who’s not afraid to throw his body around in the box, and he has experience at corner and safety. He tested well athletically and could potentially play multiple spots at the next level as a rotational player, at least at first.
He’s a former three-star recruit out of West Virginia, where he played quarterback and defensive back at Cabell Midland High School. He played his first three years at Wake Forest before transferring to Marshall to be closer to home.
The Bengals secondary was absolutely shredded in 2024, and shared a large portion of the blame for the team missing the playoffs. Geno Stone and Jordan Battle are, at least for now, penciled in as the starting duo for Al Golden’s 2025 defense, but that could change with a free agency signing or in the draft.
Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” has Roberts listed as this year’s No. 28-ranked safety and predicts he’ll be signed as an undrafted free agent.
Marshall S JJ Roberts will be visiting with the Bengals on Wednesday.
Roberts was the highest graded S in CFB this year according to Pro Football Focus, and his 14 PD were 2nd most in the FBS. pic.twitter.com/VtXtAiVxBX— The Sportsdudeheinz Show (@SdudeHeinzShow) April 11, 2025
