A stud defensive tackle and an emotional leader from the Buckeyes National Championship Team were selected in this NFL Mock Draft.
It’s becoming clear the Cincinnati Bengals are likely to target the defensive line in next week’s NFL Draft. Not only that, but the Bengals may have a defensive-heavy draft.
Getting younger is a huge priority for the Bengals’ defense this season. There are some young players on that side of the ball with untapped potential, and it will be up to new defensive coordinator Al Golden and his new coaching staff to get the most out of the Bengals’ young defensive players.
In Tuesday’s mock draft from ESPN Draft Analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, the Bengals selected a defensive player in each of the first three rounds.
At No. 17 overall in this Mock Draft, the Bengals select Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
On Nolen, Yates writes: “The Bengals have a number of defensive options to consider, as the team could plausibly spend its entire draft on that side of the ball, and I wouldn’t bat an eye. That unit struggled in 2024, giving up 25.5 points per game. Nolen is a disruptive interior rusher, and his best snaps show pure dominance. Finding more consistency would unlock another level of his game.”
Nolen is ranked No. 31 in The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s annual NFL Draft Guide “The Beast.” He’s the No. 4 defensive tackle, coming off a season where he was a consensus All-American at Ole Miss.
Brugler writes, “Overall, Nolen has areas of his game that require maturing, but he flashes big-time disruption in his initial burst and fast, physical hands to regularly affect the backfield action. He will be attractive for NFL teams looking for an active gap-shooter with high-end upside.”
Yates was back on the clock at No. 49, and he has the Bengals selecting Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts.
On Watts, Yates writes: “Another defensive contributor for the Bengals. Watts’ 13 picks over the past two seasons were the most in the FBS in that time.”
Having a ball hawk like Watts would be an element the Bengals secondary hasn’t had since… The Swat Team? Reggie Nelson? Jessie Bates III?
Watts is the No. 3 safety in Brugler’s “The Beast.” He was a two-time All-American at Notre Dame and a key part of the Fighting Irish’s run to the College Football Playoff National Championship this past season.
Finally, Yates was up at pick No. 81 in Round Three, where he has the Bengals drafting Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer.
Yates writes, “Yes, more defense! The Bengals can get pass-rush insurance in case Trey Hendrickson leaves — or more pass-rush support for him if he sticks around. Sawyer is tough and powerful.”
Bengals fans know Sawyer for his scoop-and-score against Texas in the College Football Playoff Semifinal this past January, reminiscent of Sam Hubbard’s “Fumble in the Jungle” in the Playoffs in January of 2023.
Brugler has Sawyer ranked as the No. 11 edge rusher, and he references a comparison to Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher George Karlaftis when he writes “Similar in ways to George Karlaftis, he has the competitive play personality that NFL coaches will welcome as part of their rotation.” Karlaftis was selected by the Chiefs 30th overall in 2022, one pick before the Bengals drafted safety Dax Hill.
From what Yates wrote about his three Bengals draft selections in this mock draft, don’t be surprised if the Bengals attack this draft with a heavy emphasis on defense.
