Cincinnati Bengals Go All Defense In ESPN's Three-Round Mock Draft

Cincinnati needs major help on that side of the ball.

Defensive back Xavier Watts, left, speaks with his father Jeff Watts during Notre Dame football's Pro Day at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, March 27, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Field Yate and Mel Kiper Jr. did a tag-team mock draft this week as we sit less than 10 days from the 2025 NFL Draft. Cincinnati started the three-round exercise with Yates slotting Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolan to them at Pick 17.

Nolan is the consensus big board's 29th-best player and fourth-best defensive tackle.

"The Bengals have a number of defensive options to consider, as the team could plausibly spend its entire draft on that side of the ball and I wouldn't bat an eye," Yates wrote. "That unit struggled in 2024, giving up 25.5 points per game. Nolen is a disruptive interior rusher, and his best snaps show pure dominance. Finding more consistency would unlock another level of his game."

Next, Yates had Cincinnati selecting Al Golden's former Notre Dame safety, Xavier Watts, at Pick 49.

Watts is ranked 54th on the consensus big board and third among safeties.

"Another defensive contributor for the Bengals. Watts' 13 picks over the past two seasons were the most in the FBS in that time," Yates wrote.

The three-round look concluded with Cincinnati taking Ohio State edge rusher Jack Swayer at Pick 81.

"Yes, more defense! The Bengals can get pass-rush insurance in case Trey Hendrickson leaves -- or more pass-rush support for him if he sticks around. Sawyer is tough and powerful," Yates wrote.

Sawyer is the consensus big board's 59th-best player and 12th-best edge rusher.

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