Bengals go back to their roots for all the right reasons in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
It's not what anyone wanted, but the Cincinnati Bengals are on track towards landing a top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.For all of the team's faults in recent years, the Bengals have not whiffed with selections so early in the first round. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are about as good as you […]
It's not what anyone wanted, but the Cincinnati Bengals are on track towards landing a top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
For all of the team's faults in recent years, the Bengals have not whiffed with selections so early in the first round. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are about as good as you could possibly do with top-five picks in back-to-back years.
Long before that duo came to Cincinnati, the Bengals had an affinity for drafting cornerbacks in the first round. Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, and William Jackson III made up nearly half of the club's first-round picks in an 11-year span.
It's been nearly that long since the Bengals have drafted a cornerback that high, but one name stands out if they were to attack the position in the first round again. A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts slotted him to the Bengals in his latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
Bengals select Michigan CB Will Johnson with 10th overall pick
Depending on what position Colorado's Travis Hunter will end up playing, Johnson may end up as the top cornerback in this upcoming draft class. He's a blue chip talent at a position that every team needs, and the Bengals are no exception.
Cincinnati has had major injury issues at cornerback this year with both Dax Hill and DJ Turner II now on Injured Reserve, and Cam Taylor-Britt is in the midst of his most chaotic season yet after being benched two separate times.
While all three will be back with the team next year, the group is certainly not settled to the point where Johnson wouldn't be a welcomed addition.
"Cornerback isn’t the biggest need for the Bengals, but Johnson is just too good to pass up. The defense is the side of the ball that needs the most help by far, and adding a potentially elite cover man should be a big boost." – A to Z Sports' Ryan Roberts
Hill, Turner, and Taylor-Britt each have traits to offer as starters, but Johnson would be the best out of all of them and provide the Bengals with a true No. 1 corner. That's been missing in their defense since before Chidobe Awuzie suffered a torn ACL back in 2022.
Coincidentally, Hill and Turner also played cornerback at Michigan. Johnson was a freshman during Turner's senior year in 2022 and even intercepted three passes that season. Kris Jenkins Jr. and Erick All Jr. were also a part of that roster, so it wouldn't be surprising at all to see Cincinnati go back to Ann Arbor during the draft.
The Bengals can't afford to deny their defense elite talent at any position next offseason. Johnson would be a strong first step toward rebuilding the unit.
Bengals lend a helping hand to one of their elite players and address the future in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Cincinnati opts for a pass rusher in A to Z Sports’ latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
