Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft has Bengals taking unexpected path that would still get the Joe Burrow approval
When the bulk of free agency passes, most of the Cincinnati Bengals' cash spent on external additions will have been on defensive players. Signing at least two pass rushers may make up the majority of their spending altogether. Free agency always has an impact on the NFL Draft that follows, but even if the Bengals go […]
When the bulk of free agency passes, most of the Cincinnati Bengals' cash spent on external additions will have been on defensive players. Signing at least two pass rushers may make up the majority of their spending altogether.
Free agency always has an impact on the NFL Draft that follows, but even if the Bengals go on the defensive in March, they'd still be expected to do the same in April when selecting top college prospects. The idea of them ignoring that side of the ball with their first two picks after such a calamitous 2024 season for the unit is difficult to ponder.
But that's the route our own Travis May of A to Z Sports took for Cincinnati in his latest three-round mock draft.
Bengals go on the offensive in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
To start off, with the likes of Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Tennessee edge defender James Pearce Jr., and Georgia defenders Jalon Walker and Malaki Starks all off the board, May slotted the Bengals with Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the 17th overall pick.
The Bengals have to find a way to protect Joe Burrow and buy him a bit more time in the pocket. Booker allowed just two sacks throughout his three-year career for the Alabama Crimson Tide and offers the best physical traits of any interior offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft class. He's as wide, tall, and long as an offensive tackle, but is nimble enough to pull and reach the second level with the best offensive guards in the game. – A to Z Sports' Travis May
Booker is going to end up as one of the top two guard prospects in this class with Missouri's Armand Membou if the league sees the latter fitting the position more than tackle. He's a proven pass protector and technician against SEC-caliber defensive linemen and would start Week 1 at either guard spot. He repped 1,763 snaps at left guard and 167 at right guard in three years for the Crimson Tide.
Most would get on board for drafting a high-floor pass protector for Joe Burrow. The second round is where things would get controversial in this scenario as May paired the Bengals' 49th overall pick with Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.
Chase Brown was a nice story this past year, but the Bengals need explosive, dynamic playmakers to help out Joe Burrow. TreVeyon Henderson was one of the most efficient running backs in the nation last year averaging almost eight yards per touch. He's a home run threat with great long speed and pass catching ability too. – A to Z Sports' Travis May
How this works is very simple. If the Bengals draft a running back with a top-50 pick, that player is going to start over Chase Brown. Is Henderson so good he warrants demoting Brown back to RB2? Can the Bengals afford to go after this upgrade so early in the draft when they haven't addressed the defense at all? Henderson, who hasn't fumbled since 2021, does have some quality marks in his profile, but this pick would be polarizing to say the least.
I think May did his best to salvage the class by going with Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander, one of the best Senior Bowl players the Bengals could target, with the 81st overall pick in the third round. Alexander would get instant opportunities on passing downs as a rookie to bolster a starving interior pass-rush.
On offense, assuming Tee Higgins is still around, the Bengals would be very much set. At least four offensive line spots are locked in with quality players, and the top of the running back room is loaded. A more consistent run game would make life easier for Joe Burrow, and Booker would help create firmer pockets when he has to sling it.
So long as the defense is taken care of in March, the Bengals could survive going down this path in April.
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Speculation season is beginning!
