Who Will the Bengals Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? Mock Drafts Point to a Defensive Game-Changer

Hey Bengals fans, the 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the buzz is heating up about who Cincinnati will snag with their 17th overall pick. After a 2024 season that left us all frustrated with a shaky defense, it’s no surprise that mock drafts are screaming one thing: the Bengals need a beast on the defensive line. Whether it’s a dominant defensive tackle or a speedy edge rusher, the experts seem to agree that Cincinnati’s front office is ready to beef up the front. Let’s dive into the names everyone’s talking about and why they could be the key to getting the Bengals back to the Super Bowl conversation.

The Defensive Line: Where the Magic Needs to Happen

Look, we all know the Bengals’ defense had some rough moments last year. The run game was a sieve, and the pass rush leaned too heavily on Trey Hendrickson, who’s not getting any younger. With new defensive coordinator Al Golden calling the shots, the vibe is clear: Cincinnati needs a young, disruptive force to shake things up. Mock drafts are pointing to three studs who keep popping up as perfect fits.

• Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss): This guy’s a monster. A consensus All-American, Nolen’s the kind of player who blows up plays in the backfield and stuffs the run like it’s his job (because it is). ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates can’t stop raving about his power and quickness. Imagine him clogging the middle and making life easier for our linebackers—yes, please!
• James Pearce Jr. (EDGE, Tennessee): If you love watching quarterbacks hit the turf, Pearce is your guy. He racked up 17.5 sacks in two years at Tennessee, and his speed off the edge is unreal. Sporting News and NFL Mock Draft Database keep mocking him to Cincy, and it’s easy to see why—he could be the heir to Hendrickson or a dynamic complement right now.
• Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall): This dude led the NCAA with 17 sacks in 2024. Seventeen! Green’s a bendy, relentless pass rusher who’s been climbing draft boards like crazy. Bengals.com’s own writers are hyping him up, and after a killer pre-draft process, he feels like the kind of high-energy player Who Dey Nation would love.

There’s also chatter about Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon) and Jack Sawyer (EDGE, Ohio State). Both are tough, scheme-friendly guys who could thrive in Golden’s aggressive defense. Honestly, any of these players would have me jumping off the couch on draft night.

But What About Offense?

Okay, I get it—Joe Burrow is our guy, and we want to keep him upright and happy. A few mock drafts are tossing out names like Tyler Booker (G, Alabama) to solidify the offensive line. Protecting Joey B is never a bad idea, right? There’s even some love for Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State), a home-run-hitting running back who could give the offense some extra juice. But let’s be real: the defense was the bigger issue last year, and most experts think the Bengals will prioritize fixing that first.

Why Defense Is the Heartbeat

If you watched the Bengals in 2024, you know the defense couldn’t always hold up its end of the bargain. Too many big runs, not enough pressure without blitzing—it was rough. With a new coordinator and some veterans on the back half of their careers, grabbing a young stud like Nolen, Pearce, or Green feels like a no-brainer. These guys aren’t just roster fillers; they’re the kind of players who can change the vibe of a defense and get us back to bullying opponents like we did in our AFC Championship run.

Mock Drafts Aren’t Gospel

I know, I know—mock drafts get us hyped, but they’re not set in stone. They’re like your buddy’s fantasy football predictions: fun to talk about, but things change. The combine, pro days, and the Bengals’ secret draft board will all play a role. Still, the fact that so many experts are locking in on defensive linemen tells me Cincinnati’s priorities are clear. We’re building a defense that can hang with the AFC’s best.

Get Hyped: Check Out These Prospects

Want to see what the fuss is about? This YouTube highlight reel of Walter Nolen, James Pearce Jr., and other 2025 draft studs will get you pumped. Trust me, you’ll be ready to chant “Who Dey” by the end.

Dig Deeper

For more on who the Bengals might pick, check out these awesome resources:

• ESPN’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates
• NFL Mock Draft Database

So, Bengals fans, who are you rooting for on draft night? A disruptive tackle like Nolen? A sack machine like Pearce or Green? Whoever it is, let’s get ready for a pick that brings the heat. Who Dey!

*Note: Mock drafts are just guesses, so keep an eye out for updates as the draft gets closer in April 2025.*

Who Should the Cincinnati Bengals Target in Free Agency? One Name Stands Out

Let’s be real—being a Cincinnati Bengals fan in 2024 was a rollercoaster. Joe Burrow was slinging it like the superstar we know he is, Ja’Marr Chase was making defenders look silly, and yet, here we are, staring at another offseason with more questions than answers. The defense? A mess. The offensive line? Still a work in progress. With free agency looming and about $47.5 million in cap space to play with (thanks, Over the Cap), the Bengals have a chance to fix some of these headaches. So, who’s the best free agent fit for our team? After digging into the options, one name keeps popping up: Osa Odighizuwa, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackle who’s about to hit the market.

The Bengals’ Defense Needs a Hero

If you watched even five minutes of a Bengals game this year, you know the defense was painful to witness. Twenty-fifth in scoring defense, thirtieth in red-zone stops—it felt like opposing offenses were waltzing into the end zone while we sat there helpless. Trey Hendrickson was a one-man wrecking crew with 17.5 sacks, but the rest of the line? Not so much. We lost DJ Reader a couple of years back, and while B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins tried to hold it down, the interior pressure just wasn’t there. Only 36 sacks all season—25th in the league—and those early games where we gave up 140 rushing yards like it was nothing? Brutal.

Enter Osa Odighizuwa. This guy’s not just a name to throw around—he led all interior defenders in quarterback hits in 2024. That’s the kind of juice we’ve been missing since Reader left. Analysts like Marcus Mosher from The 33rd Team have already linked him to Cincinnati, and it’s easy to see why. He’s quick, he’s disruptive, and at 26, he’s still got plenty of prime years ahead. Pair him with Hendrickson, and suddenly our defensive front looks like it can actually scare somebody.

Why Osa Fits Like a Glove

I’ll admit, when I first heard Odighizuwa’s name, I wasn’t sure he’d be the answer. He’s not the massive, run-stuffing brick wall Reader was, and our run defense still gives me nightmares. But here’s the thing: our pass rush from the interior was practically nonexistent this year, and that’s a bigger problem in today’s NFL. Odighizuwa’s burst off the line could give Burrow a fighting chance by getting the ball back faster. Imagine him collapsing pockets while Hendrickson comes flying off the edge—quarterbacks would be sweating.

Plus, the money works. He’s projected at around $21 million a year over three years—$63 million total—which sounds steep until you realize we’ve got the cap space to make it happen. B.J. Hill’s a free agent, Rankins could be cut to save cash, and we’d still have room to maneuver. It’s not about rebuilding the whole defense; it’s about adding a spark. Odighizuwa could be that guy, letting younger players like Myles Murphy grow without being thrown into the deep end.

What About Tee Higgins and the Offense?

Okay, I know what some of you are thinking: “What about Tee Higgins?” Losing him would sting—he’s a free agent too, and keeping him with Chase would keep our offense elite. I get it. Burrow deserves all the weapons he can get, and that offensive line still needs help (looking at you, right tackle). There’s also chatter about guys like Chris Godwin if we want another receiver, or even a corner like Rasul Douglas to shore up the secondary, especially with Dax Hill coming off injury.

But here’s my take: the offense is already good enough to win. Chase is a monster, Burrow’s a magician, and we can patch the line with cheaper vets or draft picks. The defense, though? It’s been the Achilles’ heel holding us back. X posts from Bengals fans and takes from Bengals Wire keep pointing to the same thing—our D needs a boost, and Odighizuwa’s the kind of impact player who could turn things around.

A Dream Worth Chasing

Picture this: it’s September 2025, and the Bengals are hosting the Steelers. Burrow’s got the offense humming, but for once, the defense isn’t letting us down. Odighizuwa barrels through the line, smacks Justin Fields for a sack, and the Paycor Stadium crowd loses its mind. Hendrickson’s grinning on the sideline, knowing he’s not carrying the load alone anymore. That’s the vision I’m holding onto.

So, what do you think, Bengals faithful? Should we go all-in on a defensive game-changer like Odighizuwa, or spread the cash around elsewhere? Free agency’s coming fast, and with $47.5 million burning a hole in our pocket, this offseason could be the one that finally gets us over the hump. Let’s hear your take—I’m all ears.