Mock Trade Details: The Bengals.com media mock draft simulated a trade where Cincinnati sent the No. 17 pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the No. 23 pick, plus simulated third and fifth-round selections.
Potential Target: In this specific mock scenario, the Bengals selected Alabama Linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the 23rd pick.
Draft Capital: Trading down could allow the Bengals to acquire more picks. Currently, they hold six selections heading into the 2025 draft.
Player Profile (Campbell): Jihaad Campbell is seen as a versatile, athletic linebacker (6-3, 244 lbs) capable of playing all three downs. CBS Sports compares his style to Oren Burks, highlighting his range and potential ubiquity on defense.
Why this matters: This mock draft highlights a potential strategy for the Bengals to address needs while accumulating valuable draft capital in a draft class deep at defensive line and other positions. Gaining extra picks allows for more flexibility and chances to add talent.
The Bengals haven't traded their first-round pick during the draft in over a decade, making this mock scenario a noteworthy exercise. The rationale behind trading down from 17 to 23 involves potentially acquiring additional mid-round picks (a third and fifth in this simulation) while still landing a high-impact defender. The Bengals currently enter the draft with six picks (17, 49, 81, 119, 153, 193).
In this simulation, the target at #23 was Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell. He is highly rated on several big boards (No. 11 PFF, 17 Scouts Inc., 16 The Athletic) and possesses the versatility that could be valuable for Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme. CBS Sports notes his twitch, speed, and athletic fluidity. Taking a linebacker early would be a shift, as the Bengals haven't selected one in the first round since 2008 (Keith Rivers) or drafted one at all since 2020 (Logan Wilson, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Markus Bailey).
However, trading down carries risks. The Bengals.com mock noted that several defensive linemen came off the board between picks 17 and 23, including Oregon's Derrick Harmon (mocked to the Packers at 17), Ole Miss' Walter Nolen (mocked to Steelers at 21), and Michigan's Kenneth Grant (mocked to Chargers at 22).
If the Bengals stayed at 17 or considered other options around the 23rd pick, several edge rushers like Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. (compared to Randy Gregory by CBS Sports), Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart (compared to Keion White), and Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku (compared to Javon Solomon) might be available, though questions remain about their fit or consistency. Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron (compared to Martin Emerson) was also noted as a highly-rated player potentially available.
Ultimately, the decision depends on finding a willing trade partner and assessing whether the desired talent pool remains strong enough after moving down.
Q: Why might the Bengals trade down in the 2025 NFL Draft?
A: The Bengals might trade down to acquire additional draft picks, potentially addressing multiple needs or adding depth. They currently have only six selections, and a trade-back could increase that number while still potentially landing a starting-caliber player in the first round.
Q: Who is Jihaad Campbell?
A: Jihaad Campbell is a highly-rated linebacker from Alabama, known for his athleticism, versatility across all three downs, and potential fit in multiple defensive schemes. He was mocked to the Bengals at pick #23 in the Bengals.com simulation.
The Bengals could explore trading back in the first round to gain more draft picks.
Linebacker Jihaad Campbell is a name to watch if the Bengals target defensive versatility.
Trading down involves balancing the desire for more picks against the risk of missing out on top-tier talent available at their original pick (No. 17).
Keep an eye on defensive linemen and edge rushers, as this draft class appears deep at those positions.
What do you think of the Bengals potentially trading down? Which position should they prioritize in the first round? Let us know!
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Bengals.com: Latest Media Mock Draft Celebrates Bengals.com's 25th Anniversary: We Have A Trade target="_blank"
CBSSports.com: 2025 NFL Draft comps for top-100 prospects target="_blank"
USAToday.com: 2025 NFL Draft: Full list of all 257 picks for all 32 NFL teams target="_blank"
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