Someone took the time to average out all grades teams got from major outlets, and the Bengals were the worst.
The Cincinnati Bengals finished the 2025 NFL draft with a group of players most probably wouldn’t have expected them to end up with.
That could very well be what led most evaluators to give them a less-than-favorable grade.
Well, René Bugner did the work and averaged out grades from 24 outlets. And the Bengals ranked dead last.
2025 NFL Draft Team Grades
I´ve compiled 24 evaluations of the 2025 NFL draft and totaled the team grades.
Sorted by GPA for all 32 teams. I sorted the 24 evaluations by GPA as well. From left (soft) to right (hard graders).
Thanks to all who give out grades every year! pic.twitter.com/HW69yxX702— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) April 28, 2025
The Bengals’ GPA is 2.06, the next lowest being 2.33. They were the only team to get multiple D- grades, but interestingly enough, they didn’t receive either of the two F grades given to the Detroit Lions or Los Angeles Chargers.
Look, obviously no one knows how these players will pan out or how these teams will play next season.
That being said the NFL Draft is as much understanding the process and getting players at a good value. It also helps if you can get them in positions of need.
When you break it down like that it’s easy to understand why the Bengals’ grades weren’t exactly stellar.
Shemar Stewart wasn’t a reach and was in a position of need. But he could easily come off as more of a risk than what Cincinnati can afford while they are supposedly on the cusp of competing for a championship again, having just 1.5 sacks last season.
When you look at the team, double-dipping at linebacker was certainly surprising. Their second and fourth-round selections, when they only had six selections, were a choice. Demetrius Knight Jr. is a talented player, but being 25 years old makes it hard to believe he was going to be selected anytime soon. Trading back would have been ideal (and possible since the teams around them both traded back).
Many people pointed to a lack of defensive backs and tackle as another issue. The team could believe in Geno Stone after a bad season last year. And after Walter Nolen was drafted right ahead of Cincinnati in Round 1, it didn’t leave many players who could provide that pass rush at the interior of that defensive line.
Overall, it seems like the Bengals got players they wanted, but they could have easily moved around and still got them as well as more players as well.
What do you think of the graders’ assessments?
