You take this result every time.
We are getting closer and closer to finding out who the next class of Cincinnati Bengals rookies will be, as the 2025 NFL Draft will start on Thursday. The Bengals have plenty of needs and without making any trades, have only six selections this year, so maximizing the return on those picks will be paramount.
The Bengals do just that with Jordan Reid’s latest ESPN mock draft.
At pick 17, Reid has the Bengals selecting Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, filling a need on the defensive line.
“Outside of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is still in a contract dispute, the team doesn’t have consistent pass-rushing options. At 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, Harmon is a big, stout presence who can penetrate the first level and defend the run. He finished last season with five sacks and led all defensive tackles with 34 QB pressures. His 10.7% pressure rate at defensive tackle was the second-highest rate in the country.”
Reid sees the Bengals keeping focus on the defense in the second round, selecting Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Landon Jackson, who’s gotten some first-round projections.
”After getting the Bengals a defensive tackle in Round 1, we’ll go edge here. The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Jackson has an ideal frame and was productive in college, with 6.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons and 54 pressures (sixth most in the SEC) in that span.”
Adding another pass rusher is likely in the plan regardless of what happens with Trey Hendrickson and Reid has the Bengals getting one of the more intriguing second-round pass rushers in the class.
The Bengals’ first offensive selection in this mock comes in round three, where Reid has the Bengals selecting Georgia Bulldogs offensive guard Tate Ratledge. Ratledge goes higher than pick 81 in most mocks, but if Reid’s scenario plays out, the Bengals will get a player who could be a Week 1 starter. Ratledge also played next to Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims in their time with the Bulldogs, so that chemistry could lead to Ratledge being the replacement for Alex Cappa sooner rather than later.
The final three picks are Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, LSU cornerback Zy Alexander, and Clemson safety R.J. Mickens.
Not only do the Bengals address glaring needs in this mock, they get great positional value, and all of the picks seem very realistic based on how the Bengals have operated in recent years.
How would you feel if this were the Bengals 2025 draft class? Let us know in the comment section below!
