2025 Final Mock?

[*ochocincos*]

I always have a hard time saying this is it, but I really like this one and don't think I would make too many changes, at least not with prospects I haven't already put into mocks before.

I think I still ultimately like the idea of a trade-back, and I think a team like HOU or WAS may be interested to trade up.
I decided to just trade back with WAS at 29 and get their 2nd and 6th rounder in return.

1-WAS) Nic Scourton, DE Texas A&M - High upside edge who should be able to help bolster the DL. Lance Zierlein's NFL player comparison? Trey Hendrickson. At worst, I see him being prime-level Sam Hubbard, a guy who can get you 6-8 sacks a season consistently. I see his potential being a 9-12 sack guy who also has the build and demeanor to set a stiff edge in the run game.

2) Jonah Savaiinaea, OL Arizona - Big (6'4", 324 lbs), versatile guy who has plenty of starts at OG and OT. Very, very good in pass protection, which the Bengals need to prioritize. He shows some athletic limitations on tape to stick at OT in the NFL, but he should be perfectly fine transitioning back to OG and being a long-time starter in the league inside. He tested very well at the Combine, putting up a 9.19 RAS when compared to OTs, a 9.84 RAS when compared to OGs. Sav not only, I think, would earn a starter role going into Week 1 at Guard, but he also offers flexibility to cover OT if injuries happen to OBJ or Mims.

2-WAS) Xavier Watts, SAF Notre Dame - 2023 DPOY and led the nation that year in INTs. Ball hawk center fielder type of safety. Golden is extremely familiar with Watts, and he was a key cog in Golden's ND defense the past couple years. I wanted to select Watts with the 49th overall pick, but Bengals desperately need a Guard and they should have a few other options at SAF if Watts does end up getting taken before 61.

3) Dylan Fairchild, OG Georgia - Fairchild has gone from a wrestler in high school to good starting Guard in college, but he's still developing. In his time at Guard though, he's played and improved very well. Many expect within a couple years, he could be a difference maker at OG, especially in pass protection for someone like Burrow. I'm taking Fairchild as a high-ceiling guy who I think the coaches will drool over. By adding both Sav and Fairchild, it allows them to cut bait with one of Volson, Patrick, or Ford, freeing up some cap to sign another cheap veteran at another position, putting it toward a potential Hendrickson extension, or rolling it over to next year.

4) Ty Robinson, DL Nebraska - I think Rd 4 is going to be prime pickins for an IDL, as this is a good draft class, so really talented DL will drop into Rd 4 that would gone sooner in another class. Guys like Aeneas Peebles, Omar Norman-Lott, and Ty Robinson could be here. I went with Robinson because he is an older prospect, but he tested very well in offseason workouts and scouts rave about his motor and grit. Everyone seems to be hyping this guy up recently.

5) Mitchell Evans, TE Notre Dame - Size and versatility at the TE position to become a quality TE2 and replace Sample next year. Evans is 6'5", nearly 260 lbs. His speed and agility were considered good for how big he was. I can see Bengals having optimism in Erick All once he returns next year, but Evans can compete with All for TE2 duties next year.

6) Tahj Brooks, RB Texas Tech - I really like Brooks's game. Back-to-back 1500+ rushing yards guy who has solid speed (4.52 at 214 lbs), great agility (elite agility scores), can catch, and seems to love to block. I think he would be a great addition to pair with Chase Brown and Perine in a RBBC.

6-WAS) Jay Higgins, LB Iowa - Bengals need more LB depth, and I like Higgins's game despite not-great athletic testing numbers. He's instinctual and productive. I think he could make a good LB4 on a team.