Cincinnati Bengals Go Heavy on Defense in Field Yates' Seven-Round ESPN Projection

Almost every pick went to that side of the ball.

Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard (DL55) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — ESPN's Field Yates revealed his full NFL Draft selection path for the Bengals this week. He had the team going heavy on defense with its six picks at the end of this month.

Check out the selections below and their consensus big board ranking:

Pick 17. Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State (30th)

Pick 49. Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State (40th)

Pick 81. Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina (88th)

Pick 119. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville (127th)

Pick 153. Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College (244th)

Pick 193. Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State (295th)

"After addressing guard in Round 1, the Bengals can use their final five picks to shore up the defense," Yates wrote. "The team has needs at all three levels, and it must find a way to connect the pass rush and the secondary more. The bottom line is that there was a talent void for Cincinnati on defense this past season. Adding corners of different sizes and styles (Thomas and Riley), plus a gifted rusher in Kennard, would help fix this defense."

Using five of the six draft picks on defense makes sense, considering Cincinnati had one of the worst units in the NFL last season (tied for 25th in points allowed) and hasn't added much to bolster it besides nose tackle T.J. Slaton and linebacker Oren Burks. 

The Bengals don't have a seventh-round pick this year due to the Khalil Herbert trade last November.

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