The Cincinnati Bengals feel far more likely to trade down than up in the opening round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Those Bengals sit in a bit of a weird spot at No. 17, where Duke Tobin and Co. could certainly see the value in moving down, still drafting a guy they really like and adding more picks to improve the rest of the roster.
Here’s a look at a seven-round mock draft for the Bengals in which we accepted one of the offers that came in for the 17th pick, courtesy of the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.
Bengals trade down with Chargers
The Chargers offered No. 22 and No. 86 to jump up to No. 17. With plenty of talent left on the board, it felt like a no-brainer to add another top-100 pick for merely moving down a few spots.
Round 1, No. 22 (trade with LAC): Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Not a bad deal to move down and still get one of the guys the Bengals have shown the most interest in during the pre-draft process. Emmanwori is a huge safety prospect who can start right away and move all over the alignment, boosting the so-so Geno Stone-Jordan Battle outlook at the position.
Round 2, No. 49: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
It’s really hard not to like the idea of a second-round running back this year. Part of that is due to the prospects available — like Henderson. He’s a natural rotational back, good at the goal line and solid as a pass-blocker, making him the ideal partner for Chase Brown.
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Round 3, No. 81: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
Another guy the Bengals have shown notable interest in, Norman-Lott would help the Kris Jenkins Jr.-McKinnley Jackson rotation right away as they still look to make up for the loss of DJ Reader.
Round 3, No. 86 (via LAC): Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
With the extra pick the Bengals get another guy they’ve been looking at. Grant has lots of raw talent for the team to mold and he might have a future as a guard. He can otherwise be a strong swing tackle backup, especially if Cody Ford wins a job at guard.
Round 4, No. 119: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
The Bengals lost a rangy, second-level linebacker when Akeem Davis-Gaither left in free agency. Stutsman helps fill that void while also giving them some high-upside insurance if and when they move on from Germaine Pratt.
Round 5, No. 153: Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati
Another local prospect, Kandra’s biggest strength is pass-blocking, which is just what the Bengals want to see in front of Joe Burrow. He’d have a chance to make the starting job competition this summer more interesting.
Round 6, No. 193: Caleb Ransaw, CB, Tulane
This range is all about grabbing for upside that might not go undrafted. Ransaw would give them some depth who has played all the major spots in the secondary with good production.
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