Round 1, pick 17

Shemar Stewart, Defensive End

From University of South Carolina

Grade: B+

It is no secret that the Bengals need all the help they can get on the defensive side of the ball after their 2024 campaign saw them ranked 25th overall in defensive stats and they allowed multiple 40 point games. Stewart has the skill to be a day one starter, and defensive coordinator Al Golden says they will train him to be ready for playing time as soon as possible. As far as his true value, he is a bit of a risk as he did not produce the most stats through his career at University of South Carolina with only 1.5 sacks his senior season. He was also picked a bit early and the Bengals could have used this pick to get a good defensive back instead like Jahdae Barron. He is a bit of a risk but with the right development, this can be a homerun pick for the Bengals defensive line who lost Sam Hubbard this offseason and are still at risk of losing all-pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Stewart gives the Bengals line the security they needed. 

Round 2, pick 49

Demetrius Knight Jr., Linebacker

University of South Carolina

Grade: A

The Bengals struggled with defensive depth last season and there were questions going into this season regarding what the Bengals would do with veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt as he had his least productive season yet and left Logan Wilson as the only productive Bengals linebacker. But with Demetrius Knight Jr. those questions should be resolved. Knight Jr. is a textbook run stopping defender which is exactly what the Bengals need to compliment Logan Wilson. The Bengals struggled stopping runs up the middle and in a division with runners such as Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb, it is important they have the ability to do so. Knight is also incredibly versatile and can play on or off the ball. Overall Knight should immediately compete for the starting job and with his versatility could be a defensive Swiss Army Knife.

Round 3, pick 89

Dylan Fairchild, Offensive Guard

University of Georgia

Grade: B

The third round saw the Bengals going for an offensive player for the first time in this year’s draft. The pick was Dylan Fairchild, a guard for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Fairchild is someone the Bengals had their eyes on early  in the draft process and he will be the second Georgia offensive lineman the Bengals have drafted over the last two seasons following Amarius Mims who was taken in the first round of last year’s draft. Fairchild has been told the starting left guard spot is his to win, and if he does get the start he will rejoin his former teammate on the starting offensive line. Fairchild has the mentality the Bengals have been looking for in offensive lineman saying on social media his motivation comes from protecting his new quarterback Joe Burrow. Overall, Fairchild is a solid lineman with potential to be a day one starter and brings much needed depth to a line tasked with guarding one of the most expensive quarterbacks in the league. 

Round 4, pick 119

Barrett Carter, Linebacker

Clemson University

Grade: B 

The Bengals double dip at linebacker with their pick of Clemson University’s Barrett Carter. Carter gives the Bengals even more young depth in the linebacker room and compared to Knight Jr., Carter more focuses his gameplan in pass defense, where he had an impressive amount of deflections in his time with the Tigers. With this pick as well it seems Germaine Pratt is going to be on his way out. An important skill Carter also possesses is his ability to play a quarterback spy, or being in charge of containing the quarterback. This is a great skill to have in a division where you have to play quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson twice a year. The quarterback contain was something the Bengals really struggled with last season, and if he can play up to his full potential, this pick might be a great one. 

Round 5, pick 153

Jalen Rivers, Offensive Tackle

University of Miami

Grade: B-

Jalen Rivers provides the Bengals with a piece for the future. He will most likely not see playing time this season but has the potential to develop into a starter in the future. Going into the 2026 season, the Bengals only have four lineman still under contract, so picking a versatile lineman like Rivers makes sense. Rivers has experience playing tackle and center and can play pretty much anywhere on the line. He lacks a bit of athleticism, and he needs to fine-tune his skills a bit, but overall this could pan out to help the Bengals in the future. 

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Round 6, pick 193

Tahj Brooks, Running Back

Texas Tech University

Grade: C

Tahj Brooks was the final name the Bengals called on draft day in 2025. He is Texas Tech University’s all time leading rusher and is a solid receiving back. He gives the Bengals some extra running back depth, but honestly, with three solid backs already on the roster, this pick seemed a little unnecessary. Regardless, he should fit into the scheme nicely and could be used as a receiving back or special teams player. Overall, Brooks is a solid running back, but the Bengals really just do not need depth there as much as they needed it in other places.