Bengals taking a closer look at Ohio State playmaker leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, and they are not alone
The Cincinnati Bengals boast elite weapons around Joe Burrow, and they're interested in adding another beside him. Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bengals are one of several teams that will be hosting Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins for a visit leading up to the NFL Draft later this month. Judkins finished his collegiate […]
The Cincinnati Bengals boast elite weapons around Joe Burrow, and they're interested in adding another beside him.
Per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, the Bengals are one of several teams that will be hosting Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins for a visit leading up to the NFL Draft later this month.
Judkins finished his collegiate career winning the College Football Playoff National Championship for the Buckeyes, but he spent the previous two seasons running wild for Ole Miss. Judkins ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns against SEC competition as a true freshman in 2022. He followed that campaign with 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2023.
Ohio State landed Judkins as a transfer for the 2024 season and paired him up in the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins ended up with 48 more carries than Henderson despite being the new kid on the block and the latter being a fourth-year player in the offense. The Bucks knew they needed to let Judkins loose, and he responded with 1,060 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns on just 193 carries. He averaged 273 carries a season during his two years at Mississippi.
Judkins, who ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, is projected to go off the board in the second or third round. The A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database has him ranked No. 66 in the class. If the Bengals were to draft him, they would likely have to use their 49th overall pick in the second round.
Cincinnati has used second-round picks on running backs in recent history. Joe Mixon was picked 48th overall in 2017, Jeremy Hill went 55th in 2014, and Giovani Bernard 37th in 2013. Those selections were all made before the Zac Taylor era began in 2019, and the Bengals haven't drafted a tailback higher than the fifth round since.
Drafting Judkins would buck that trend, and give Chase Brown an explosive new partner to share carries. The Bengals signed Zack Moss to do that job last year, but a neck injury cut his season in half and now it's unlikely he'll be on the team this season. Samaje Perine was brought back last month, but his two-year contract does not contain any guaranteed money and it would not be surprising if he's going to be the third back on the depth chart.
A rookie like Judkins would fill the role Moss had last year, and likely produce better as well.
The Bengals have several other needs aside from running back, but Judkins could end up being the best player available in the second or third round when they're on the clock. Bringing him in for a visit indicates they're interested in drafting him when the time comes.