Linebacker was a massive need for the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, especially when you consider how important the position is in an Al Golden defense. The organization is dealing with figuring out the future for starting middle linebacker Germaine Pratt,

Cincinnati used most of its offseason to make sure Joe Burrow had his top two playmakers wearing orange and black for a long time.

The Cincinnati Bengals, as expected, mostly focused on the defensive side of the ball in the 2025 NFL draft. Fueling the rebuild under the supervision of new (and returning) coordinator Al Golden, the Bengals grabbed a high-upside pass-rusher in the first round before doubling down on the linebacker twice over their first four picks.