CINCINNATI -- The 2025 NFL draft began Thursday and is being held in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Cincinnati Bengals made their first pick with the No. 17 selection of the first round, which they used to improve a troubled defense with Shemar Stewart.
Cincinnati Bengals | Updated depth chart
Round 1: No. 17 overall: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
My take: The Bengals addressed a key need by taking a defensive end. Not only does Stewart give the Bengals immediate depth, but he gives Cincinnati a viable long-term starter no matter what happens with Trey Hendrickson, who was given permission to seek a trade. In his call with local media after the pick was made, Stewart said he plans on being around Hendrickson to learn as much as possible. Stewart said Hendrickson's power helped him lead to 17.5 sacks last season to lead the NFL.
When will he be expected to get regular playing time: Immediately. Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said the coaching staff will get him up to speed as quickly as possible. At minimum, Stewart should be able to get a handful of snaps. But there is definitely an avenue that he could see an increased snap count as the season progresses given the unknowns at edge rusher, including an uncertain future with Hendrickson.
What we're hearing about Stewart: Golden made it very clear that the lack of production -- 1.5 sacks in each of his three seasons -- wasn't a major concern. Cincinnati's first-year coordinator said Stewart was also making a ton of plays away from the line of scrimmage. "This is guy is an ascending player right now and a young man that we're really looking forward to working with," Golden said.
What's next: The Bengals have five remaining picks (no pick in the seventh round). When the Bengals make their next scheduled pick at 49th overall, Cincinnati will have a few key needs to be addressed -- namely offensive guard. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin quipped that guards are seemingly always in abundance in each draft. That could be notable as Cincinnati looks to address a key need given the lack of big-time guard acquisitions in recent years. A second-rounder could potentially come in and compete for a starting job immediately. Cincinnati will also have the 81st overall pick the third round.
Round 2: No. 49 overall: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
My take: Cincinnati apparently felt the need to acquire a linebacker. Knight is a six-year college player who had stops at Georgia Tech, Charlotte and finally at South Carolina, where he spent one season with the Gamecocks. It does signal volumes about where Cincinnati stands at the position given the contract status of Germaine Pratt, a six-year veteran who requested a trade this offseason and could be on the way out regardless if the Bengals can find a trade partner. Cincinnati believes Knight can come in and compete immediately for a starting job.
What we're hearing about Knight: Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said he waited for the previous 17 picks to tick off the board so the Bengals could draft Knight. Golden said Knight had a very good pro day at South Carolina and said he was the MVP for one of the best defenses in the country. Cincinnati liked his background and the ability to become an immediate captain at South Carolina. But the most important thing is his versatility. Golden said that Knight's versatility allows him to either be an on- or off-ball linebacker or even a defensive end in certain fronts. Knight had the second-longest wingspan of any available linebacker in this year's draft class (80.5 inches), according to Next Gen Stats.
Round 3: No. 81 overall: Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia
My take: It was almost a guarantee that the Bengals were going to take a guard on Day 2. Cincinnati crosses off a major position of need in a spot that makes sense. Leading into the draft, the Bengals were eyeing a notable guard option. Cincinnati exec Duke Tobin was very vocal about the guard depth in not just this year's draft but seemingly every draft. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Fairchild was someone Cincinnati targeted early in the process and is someone who will immediately come in and compete for the starting left guard spot.
Ties to the team to know: The Bengals certainly love players from big-time college programs. This is the second straight year Cincinnati drafted a Georgia offensive lineman. One year after taking offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Fairchild rejoins his old teammate and the left guard sport is "absolutely his to win," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. Pitcher noted the significance of adding players specifically from Georgia's program. Also, Fairchild was an undefeated high school wrestler. New offensive line coach Scott Peters is a former jiu-jitsu trainer.
What's next: Cincinnati added players who fit key needs in the first two days of this year's draft. There are still a few spots the team will need to address on Day Three. Getting a running back, another defensive end and perhaps another offensive tackle could be positions the Bengals eye with their remaining picks. Also keep an eye on the Bengals trying to maneuver to land an extra pick with Cincinnati lacking a seventh-rounder. The current scheduled draft slots: No. 119 (fourth round), No. 153 (fifth round), No. 193 (sixth round).
Remaining picks:
Round 4: No. 119
Round 5: No. 153
Round 6: No. 193