12 linebacker fits for the Cincinnati Bengals on Day 2 and beyond

What linebacker prospects could the Bengals target?

There are not many true off-the-ball linebackers who are likely to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. To me, despite his size, Jalon Walker is as much of an “edge” as Abdul Carter. That leaves only Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell as a likely first-round pick (although his injury could impact that).

I don’t see a prospect worth the Cincinnati Bengals‘ top pick. So, let’s move on to who they could target on Day 2 and beyond.

1. Danny Stutsman – Oklahoma – 6’3” 233

I can’t figure out why this guy isn’t talked about more. Even before his impressive showing at the NFL Combine, Danny Stutsman was a highly productive player with excellent film. Stutsman had 338 tackles over the last three seasons. That is an average of over nine a game for 38 games.

He is a good tackler who can get off blocks and has the speed to make plays from sideline to sideline.

He is a good blitzer who has a knack for getting skinny through the hole.

Stutsman is excellent in coverage. He can run deep in Tampa 2 and makes quick reads and breaks on crossers. Not just looking to make a tackle, Stutsman is adept at finding the ball in flight and making a play.

2. Jeffrey Bassa – Oregon – 6’1” 232

Jeffrey Bassa is a fantastic athlete who has a knack for making big splash plays.

Bassa is a good tackler. When opponents run the ball, he finds the gap and fills it with ill intent. He has long, active arms that he uses to disengage from blocks as both a run defender and a pass rusher.

He has excellent coverage skills. He matches up well in man coverage and breaks with speed in zone. He has good ball skills as well. Although he didn’t have any sacks last season, he had three in his career in Eugene.

3. Nick Martin – Oklahoma State – 6’ 221

Maybe it is his completely basic name, but Nick Martin seems to be flying under the radar. In fact, he wasn’t a guy I paid much mind to until I heard that the Bengals used a top 30 visit on him. Needless to say, there is nothing basic about his play on the field.

Martin shows a nice athletic burst and can scrape the width of the field. He does need to adjust his aiming point, as he has a tendency to over-pursue.

He is generally a strong tackler, but his technique is a bit inconsistent.

Martin missed most of the 2024 season with a knee injury but did run at the combine.

4. Smael Mondon Jr. – Georgia – 6’2” 224

Smael Mondon Jr. has been billed by some as a pass game specialist, but I see a much more complete player on film. He may be a tad light for his position, but he doesn’t play small. In fact, he is one of the better linebackers in the class in terms of disengaging from blocks.

He is a good tackler and an excellent athlete. He is a real hustler who is always around the ball.

His coverage skills are strong, particularly in man coverage, where many of the beefier prospects will struggle.

5. Chandler Martin – Memphis – 5’11” 229

Chandler Martin has flown under the radar, largely because he can walk under a medium-sized ladder without ducking. At 5’11”, Martin was overlooked for the NFL Combine, and that is the last joke I will make about his height.

So, why does that matter? And I answer: it doesn’t. In fact, it can be advantageous.

Just look at this clip.

Martin was extremely productive, with 111 tackles, 7 sacks (as a middle linebacker), and an interception last season and 95 tackles, 3 sacks, and two interceptions the year before.

He is a fierce tackler and fiery presence on the field. He has excellent long speed and quickness shooting gaps. Martin can pressure the quarterback off the edge or blitz from the interior.

While Martin doesn’t have the standard linebacker build or come from a prestigious program, he has got the tools and a track record of dominance.

6. Jay Higgins – Iowa – 6’ 224

I’m just going to come out and say it: Jay Higgins is the best tackler in the class. His tackles are clinic tape. Nice, high, explosive works of art – he has shown it all.

He can get off blocks and also has a good sense for getting around them

He is not a great athlete, but he has the smarts and play-diagnosing ability to overcome that. He does show some burst in shirt areas and looks solid in zone coverage.

7. Chris Paul Jr. – Ole Miss – 6’1” 222

Chris Paul Jr. can flat-out fly. He shows excellent burst in coverage and on blitzes. He also has the long speed to make plays all over the field.

Despite being on the small side, he shows the ability to bring the punch to the blocker and shock and shed offensive linemen. He is a solid tackler but is a bit inconsistent.

8. Demetrius Knight Jr – South Carolina – 6’2” 235

My comp for Demetrius Knight Jr. is Charles Jefferson.

Never heard of him? That was Forrest Whitaker’s character in the 1982 comedy classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Like Jefferson, Knight is big, fast, and mean. Like Whitaker, who was 21 when Fast Times came out, at 25, Knight is a bit old for the part.

That is the top complaint that I see.

Patient and violent, Knight is a true Mike linebacker. Equally adept at scraping or shooting gaps, he can get off blocks and make explosive, hippy tackles.

9. Barrett Carter – Clemson – 6’ 231

Barrett Carter is a solid all around linebacker. He is patient, but despite somewhat limited speed closes well when the ball declares itself.

He is a reliable tackler and high-effort player who often makes tackles in pursuit.

He is solid in zone coverage and breaks quickly on the ball.

10. Francisco Mauigoa – Miami – 6’3” 230

Francisco Mauigoa could have been a really good linebacker two decades ago, but he lacks the sideline-to-sideline speed for today’s NFL.

He shows a nice burst in the box and explodes violently through the hole. He holds his own in coverage, despite his physical limitations.

Part of me wonders if he’d have a better chance of sticking around in the NFL as a change-up pass rusher.

11. Carson Schwesinger – UCLA – 6’3” 242

I know, this seems really low compared to where others have Carson Schwesinger rated.

He saw little action prior to this year. Although not terribly explosive, he is a solid blitzer, and he’s passable in zone coverage.

My biggest issue is his tackling.

Tackling ability can’t be judged by the result. It should be evaluated by the process,

He makes far too many tackles in a horrible position. Often, he is lunging and playing outside of his barrel. Even more often, he is on his knees when making a tackle.

If my experience breaking down college linebackers has taught me anything, it is that guys who make a habit of tackling from poor body positions eventually expose themselves as poor tacklers.

Cool name, but it’s a “no” for me, dawg.

12. Jack Kiser – Notre Dame – 6’2” 231

I really like Jack Kiser. He works, and you can really tell he loves football.

He has some nice flashes, but on the whole, his film is exceedingly mid. Not only that, he only had one highly productive season and will be 25 in September.

Despite the Al Golden connection, I’m just not seeing much potential here.