Cincinnati Goes Offense, Defense in Latest ESPN Two-Round Mock Draft

The Bengals have a few different avenues they can take at the end of the month.

Mar 2, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel (OL50) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Field Yates dropped his latest two-round mock draft this week and had the Bengals taking an offensive lineman at Pick 17.

Cincinnati selected North Dakota State interior force Grey Zabel.

"While it is no mystery that the Bengals must attack defense in this draft, there's one notable offensive position that is still a big problem: guard," Yates wrote. "Consider that 64 guards qualified in pass block win rate last season, and Cordell Volson and Alex Cappa -- the Bengals' two starters -- were 61st and 64th, respectively. (Cappa was released.)

"Zabel has had an outstanding pre-draft process. He was the best player I saw at Senior Bowl practices, proving he can dominate against top competition after starting 41 games at the FCS level. Plus, teams believe he has the positional versatility to play guard or center in the NFL, and he is always in control as a pass protector."

Zabel has experience at both interior spots while checking in at No. 32 on the consensus big board and second among interior linemen.

Yates had Cincinnati rolling with Florida State cornerback Azareye'h Thomas at Pick 49.

"After we addressed their offensive line in Round 1, the Bengals could now get to work on the defense," Yates wrote. "Thomas would bring excellent 6-foot-2 size and ball skills to their cornerback room, though he lacks superb top-end speed (scouts I spoke with had him in the high 4.5s in the 40 at his pro day)."

Thomas is the consensus big board's 41st-ranked player overall and the sixth-best cornerback.

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