The NFL Draft is only 11 days away and the Cincinnati Bengals have some serious work to do.

With only six picks going into this year’s draft, the Bengals are really up against the wall. They have quite a few needs going into this draft. They have to address their defense, which struggled mightily last season. They also have to strengthen the interior of their offensive line, which continues to be overlooked for some reason by the team.

In my opinion, the biggest needs for the Bengals going into this draft are EDGE, LB, Safety, OL, DT and CB. It also wouldn’t hurt to add a running back and a tight end.

As you can see, that’s a lot of needs. Which makes it even worse when you look at what they have done in free agency. While I’m very happy they extended both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, I wish they would have addressed a few more positions so they didn’t have to go into the draft with so many holes to fill. They can obviously still make a few more moves in free agency, but assuming they do not, here is what I think the Bengals will do in the draft.

(This draft will be without trades. I do believe the Bengals will move back at some point to acquire an extra day 2 or 3 pick)

ROUND 1: Pick 17

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

At 6’4” and 296 lbs, Nolen has the size to start and play in the NFL. He is a true 3-tech who can get pressure on the quarterback from up the middle, which is something the Bengals haven’t had since the days of Geno Atkins.

Last season with Ole Miss, Walter Nolen was a first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top OL/DL. He tied for the team lead with 14 tackles for loss while starting in all 13 games. He finished his season with 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 3 pass breakups.

The kid can play.

I think he would come in and instantly compete for the starting position next to TJ Slaton.

ROUND 2: Pick 49

Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville

Gillotte really did well for himself at the combine. He posted a vertical of 36” and a 10’ broad jump, which are both above average for a player who is 6’3” and weighs in at 264 lbs.

Last season with Louisville, Gillotte was second-team All-ACC. He led the Cardinals with 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He started in all 12 games and finished the season with 43 tackles.

His skill set isn’t as refined as some of the first-round guys, but I think he will be a very underrated day 2 pick and have a really solid pro career.

ROUND 3: Pick 81

Luke Kandra, OG, Cincinnati

This pick has Cincinnati Bengals written all over it. Kandra was born and raised in Cincinnati and went to Elder High School. He committed to Louisville out of high school, but transferred to the University of Cincinnati after two seasons where he was a two-year starter.

At 6’5” and 319 lbs, Kandra is a monster. Last season with Cincinnati, he started in all 12 games at right guard and was voted a team captain. His great play earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors and second-team All-American honors.

In his entire college career he boasted a 0.3% sack allowed rate and a 0.1% penalty rate. I don’t think this kid is being talked about enough as one of the better true guards in this draft. I think this would be a really good pick at this point of the draft for the Bengals.

ROUND 4: Pick 119

Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

The Bengals have a major need at linebacker going into this draft. Danny Stutsman at this point of the draft would be a STEAL.

At 6’3” and 233 lbs, Stutsman put up very impressive numbers at the combine. He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and posted a 34” vertical.

Last season with the Sooners, Stutsman was a second-team All-American, first-team All-SEC and a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the nation’s best linebacker. He led the Sooners with 110 tackles. He had 8 tackles for loss and one sack in all 12 of his starts.

He has a high football IQ and diagnosis plays very quickly. He is a linebacker who gets downhill quickly and has great closing speed. Since 2022, Stutsman led the NCAA in run stops and was ranked fifth in run defense grade.

This would be a steal for the Bengals.

ROUND 5: Pick 153

Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA

Because they have so many needs going into this year’s draft, the Bengals have to wait until round 5 to address their need at cornerback.

Zah Frazier would be a pretty good pick up for the Bengals at this point of the draft. He possesses great length with 32 7/8” arms and size at 6’3” and 186 lbs.

Frazier can flat out fly as well. He posted a 4.36 second 40-yard dash and a 4.26 second 20-yard shuttle time.

Last season at UTSA, Frazier was voted first-team All-American Athletic Conference. He tied for second in the FBS with a school-record 6 interceptions and he also led the team with 9 pass breakups in all 12 games, 10 of which he started in.

Frazier’s game still needs some refinement, but you can’t teach speed. He also only missed one tackle in his collegiate career. This would be a good day 3 pick for the Bengals.

ROUND 6: Pick 193

Craig Woodson, Safety, California

The Bengals address their need at safety with their final pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Craig Woodson out of the University of California.

Woodson has decent size at 6’0” and 200 lbs. He is a very quick defensive back, posting a 4.45 second 40-yard dash at the combine.

Last season with California, Woodson earned third-team All-ACC honors while starting in all 13 games. He finished the season with 70 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and 7 pass breakups.

Woodson would come right in and compete on special teams and could eventually compete for a job at safety

I’m not sure what the Bengals will do on Thursday, April 24 when the NFL Draft begins. They’ve really backed themselves into a corner by having so many positions of need with only 6 picks in the draft. I do believe they’ll trade down at some point and acquire another pick, but outside of that I have no clue what else this team will do. I do however know that I will be glued to the tv with the rest of Bengals nation to find out.

WHO DEY!