The Cincinnati Bengals currently face several issues, including concerns about their defensive line.
Their last two first-round picks spent at defensive end, Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy, have not popped the way the Bengals wanted them to, and have combined for half a sack through four games.
Trey Hendrickson is putting together a solid year, but is on an expiring contract and will most likely be playing elsewhere in 2026, thanks to a strained relationship with the team. Cincinnati is going to need some more juice at pass rusher for the future, and that's where their premier draft capital should be going.
Mock draft has the Bengals selecting Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei
In a new mock draft from USA Today, Ayrton Ostly has the Bengals selecting Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei with the 19th overall pick.
"Cincinnati went with one of the most athletic edge rushers in the class last draft with Shemar Stewart. They balance that with Uiagalelei, a high-floor rusher with lots of production against top competition," wrote Ostly.
"He's notched four sacks on 100 pass rush snaps so far in 2025. His first step is what NFL evaluators want to see and his bend is an asset off the edge. He'll need to improve against double-teams."
With Hendrickson set to hit free agency and Cincinnati's other pass rushers developing slower than expected, the Bengals can replenish their depth with Uiagalelei and hopefully find themselves a star for the future.
Offensive line could certainly be in consideration here as well, but considering Cincinnati's lack of production from their edges, this would be a home run pick.
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