Cincinnati Bengals 3 biggest needs entering Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft after drafting Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals made a big splash by drafting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft, but there is still more work to be done.Cincinnati had a desperate thirst for pass rush, and Stewart is a potential solution to that problem. He rounds out a group of […]
The Cincinnati Bengals made a big splash by drafting Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart with the 17th overall pick in the NFL Draft, but there is still more work to be done.
Cincinnati had a desperate thirst for pass rush, and Stewart is a potential solution to that problem. He rounds out a group of edge defenders that will be under a lot of pressure to help out Trey Hendrickson.
As for where the Bengals go from here, let's go ahead and dive into their three biggest needs after the first round of the draft.
1. Guard
This is atop the list of priorities. Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford are the projected starters as of this moment with Cordell Volson being the main competitor to the tandem. A fresh face with significantly more upside is desperately needed.
Cincinnati is aware of how deep this guard class is, even when most of them played tackle in college. Three went off the board Thursday night in Tyler Booker, Grey Zabel, and Donovan Jackson, which matched what expectations were for the position. If the Bengals want someone who can start immediately this year, the second round is where they'd likely need to find him.
Best remaining options: Tate Ratledge, Jonah Savaiinaea, Marcus Mbow, Aireontae Ersey, Dylan Fairchild
2. Linebacker
Germaine Pratt is still on the team, but that could change if a Day 2 pick is used on a linebacker. Cincinnati would like to find a starter to boot Pratt off the roster, but it's been 16 years since the club has used any pick higher than a third-rounder on the position. That might be when the Bengals pull the trigger.
This linebacker class is pretty weak with Jihaad Campbell being the first and only one off the board 31 picks into the draft. Campbell has a shaky medical report which explained his fall, but the second round may only feature one backer as well.
Best remaining options: Carson Schwesinger, Danny Stutsman, Barrett Carter, Chris Paul Jr., Demetrius Knight Jr.
3. Defensive tackle
There was a real possibility this need would've been filled in the first round with Walter Nolen. Now the Bengals enter Day 2 still without a defensive tackle who can push the pocket. B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton aren't known to do that, and that description doesn't match either Kris Jenkins Jr. or McKinnley Jackson.
Only Nolen, Derrick Harmon, and Tyleik Williams were picked from the position in the first round, so there are plenty of intriguing options entering Friday night.
Best remaining options: T.J. Sanders, Darius Alexander, Ty Robinson, Omarr Norman-Lott, Shemar Turner
Cincinnati Bengals drafting Shemar Stewart is a gigantic bet on new defensive coordinator Al Golden
Cincinnati lands its new DC with a brand new pass-rusher.
