Cincy Jungle
Duke Tobin. First-round corners. Name a more iconic duo.
The Cincinnati Bengals struggled in 2024 despite Joe Burrow having an MVP-like season and missed the NFL Playoffs entirely, mainly due to their defense that ranked towards the bottom half of the league in most major categories.
Given their struggles, the Bengals will have a top-20 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which will take place toward the end of April. Cincinnati, more specifically, will have the No. 17 overall pick, and it should be used on the defensive side of the ball.
Now, there is some reason to believe the Bengals may look more towards a wide receiver or a guard to really bolster their offense, but if there’s a need-based opportunity, it is certainly somewhere on the defensive side of the ball.
Given Cam Taylor-Britt’s struggles, cornerback is a need, as is the interior defensive line. That said, one analyst believes a defensive back from Texas will be the perfect solution for Cincinnati.
Daniel Jeremiah’s latest mock draft at NFL.com has the Bengals going with Texas Longhorns cornerback Jahdae Barron.
“I’m sure the Bengals would consider a defensive tackle here, but Barron is too good to pass up. Also, there will still be talented DTs available when Cincinnati is on the clock in Round 2,” Jeremiah wrote.
Barron was an All-American cornerback with the Longhorns. Coming in at 5-foot-11, he had an SEC-best five interceptions last season and totaled 67 combined tackles for one of the best defenses in the country.
On top of that, he had a career-best 11 passes defended and also tagged along a sack in there as well. His ability to cover, especially in man-cover sets, would be helpful for the Bengals, who will likely have to bolster the middle of their defensive line often next season.
That said, would you be a fan of the Bengals taking Barron at No. 17?
