{"id":21311,"date":"2025-04-24T12:08:13","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T12:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=21311"},"modified":"2025-04-24T12:08:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T12:08:13","slug":"they-have-to-bengals-select-defensive-player-in-major-analysts-final-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=21311","title":{"rendered":"‘They Have To’ – Bengals Select Defensive Player in Major Analyst’s Final Mock Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\"Apr<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

CINCINNATI \u2014\u00a0<\/strong>ESPN’s Matt Miller dropped his final mock draft of the 2025 cycle on Thursday, noting an interesting declaration from one source.<\/p>\n

Miller has Cincinnati taking Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart at Pick 17.<\/p>\n

“A source told me not to overthink the Bengals’ draft plans, saying, ‘They have to get a rusher.’ Stewart is a toolsy player with high upside who could eventually replace\u00a0Trey Hendrickson,” Miller wrote.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati has boxed themselves in a bit today with\u00a0how they’ve handled\u00a0the 2025 offseason. They have\u00a0major\u00a0needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball, making it a little more\u00a0difficult\u00a0to go best player available at Pick 17.<\/p>\n

Stewart could\u00a0end up being\u00a0the best player available in hindsight as the 18th-best player overall and fifth-best edge rusher on the consensus big board.<\/p>\n