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Who Did the Cincinnati Bengals Draft?

In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals selected …

• Shemar Stewart | EDGE
• Demetrius Knight Jr. | LB
• Dylan Fairchild | OG
• Barrett Carter | LB
• Jalen Rivers | OT
• Tahj Brooks | RB

Grading the Bengals NFL Draft

Cincinnati Bengals | Draft Grade: D-

I understand the thought-process behind drafting Shemar Stewart at 1.17, but I thought it was a reach. I believe Stewart is misunderstood as a prospect. He is forwarded as a boom-or-bust type with a huge ceiling. I don’t think that’s true. I believe he’s a high-floor, medium-ceiling prospect.

A top-10 overall recruit in 2022, Stewart posted a perfect 10.0 RAS score during the pre-draft process and was unblockable at the Senior Bowl over the first two days of practices. His athletic composite this spring suggested an all-time freaky athlete. 

That is most certainly true north/south—not east/west. Stewart ducked the agility drills during the pre-draft process. His lack of suddenness side-to-side in part explains his feeble pass-rushing output in college (4.5 career sacks over three seasons). 

I am, however, highly intrigued by the selection of RB Tahj Brooks in Round 6. Brooks was one of my favorite sleepers in this RB class—he’s a physical bowling ball with good agility who excels between the tackles. Brooks is also one this class’ best backs in pass-pro. He’s an ideal complement to Chase Brown.

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