Bengals’ 2025 Draft Class Struggled to Make an Impact - But There’s Still Room to Grow
It’s no secret the Cincinnati Bengals have had a rough go of it in the draft over the past few years. Development has been slow, impact players have been few and far between, and by the time some of these rookies start to find their footing, the season has often already slipped away. That trend continued in 2025, where the Bengals’ rookie class faced a steep learning curve - and in many cases, never quite made it over the top.
Let’s start with the headline: ESPN’s Aaron Schatz ranked the Bengals’ 2025 rookie class 23rd out of 32 teams. That raised some eyebrows, especially considering how little production Cincinnati got from its top picks.
First-Round Woes Continue
First-round edge rusher Shemar Stewart was expected to bring juice off the edge, but injuries limited him to just eight games. Even when he was on the field, the results weren’t encouraging.
Stewart finished with only one sack and eight total pressures - and according to PFF, he graded out as the lowest-ranked edge defender in the NFL. Out of 118 players.
That’s not the kind of debut you want from a first-rounder, especially at a premium position like edge rusher. Stewart’s athletic profile still offers some upside, but he’s got a long way to go before he can be counted on as a reliable contributor.
Linebacker Duo Struggles Despite Snap Volume
Second-round pick Demetrius Knight Jr. and fourth-rounder Barrett Carter saw a lot of the field - Knight started 14 games, Carter 12 - but the production didn’t match the playing time. Both finished with 106 combined tackles, which on the surface sounds solid. But dig a little deeper, and the cracks start to show.
Knight and Carter were near the bottom of PFF’s linebacker rankings - 83rd and 86th out of 89 qualifiers. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a defense that leaned on them heavily.
Knight, in particular, was expected to be a more polished player given his age and college experience. He turns 26 in July, which puts even more pressure on him to make a leap in Year 2.
Offensive Line: A Mixed Bag
On the offensive side, third-round left guard Dylan Fairchild started 15 games and held his own. His pass-block win rate (90.3%) and run-block win rate (70.2%) weren’t eye-popping, but for a rookie interior lineman, they were serviceable. And for a Bengals team that’s been chasing stability at guard for most of Joe Burrow’s tenure, “serviceable” is a step in the right direction.
The right guard spot was a bit more chaotic. Dalton Risner eventually settled in after a late signing and some early-season bumps, but before that, fifth-round rookie Jalen Rivers got a shot.
Rivers started seven games in the middle of the season, and the results were rough - PFF had him ranked 80th out of 81 qualifying guards. That’s not the kind of depth you want protecting your franchise quarterback.
Looking Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: Cincinnati’s 2025 rookie class didn’t move the needle. Injuries, underperformance, and some questionable evaluations all played a part. The Bengals leaned heavily on young players who, frankly, weren’t ready for the moment - and the on-field product reflected that.
Still, the book isn’t closed on this group. Stewart’s physical tools give him a chance to rebound if he can stay healthy and refine his technique.
Fairchild could anchor the left guard spot for years if he continues to develop. And while Knight and Carter struggled, linebacker is a position that often takes time to master at the NFL level.
The Bengals don’t need a historic draft in 2026 - they just need a competent one. With Joe Burrow back healthy and the core of the offense intact, even a modest influx of rookie talent could make a big difference.
The pressure is on Cincinnati’s front office to get it right. Because if the Bengals can finally hit on a draft class - even just a few key contributors - this team has the foundation to make serious noise again in the AFC.