Papagaff'S MOCK DRAFT
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  • Papagaff DRAFTING FOR THE
    Bengals
Draft Selections
Tetairoa McMillan Head Shot
PICK: 17 RND: 1 (CIN)
Tetairoa McMillan
WR Arizona
Jihaad Campbell Head Shot
PICK: 49 RND: 2 (CIN)
Jihaad Campbell
LB Alabama
Xavier Watts Head Shot
PICK: 84 RND: 3 (CIN)
Xavier Watts
S Notre Dame
Jack Bech Head Shot
PICK: 117 RND: 4 (CIN)
Jack Bech
WR TCU
Hayden Conner Head Shot
PICK: 152 RND: 5 (CIN)
Hayden Conner
OG Texas
Ollie Gordon II Head Shot
PICK: 156 RND: 5 (CIN)
Ollie Gordon II
RB Oklahoma State
Draft Picks Received
Xavier Watts Head Shot
PICK: 84 RND: 3 (TB)
Xavier Watts
S Notre Dame
Ollie Gordon II Head Shot
PICK: 156 RND: 5 (TB)
Ollie Gordon II
RB Oklahoma State
No Pick Head Shot
PICK: RND: 5 (TB)
NEXT YEAR (2026)
 
Draft Picks Traded
R Mason Thomas Head Shot
PICK: 81 RND: 3 (TB)
R Mason Thomas
DE-EDGE Oklahoma
Draft Grade — Bengals
Overall B
ValueA- NeedB TradesB- FutureB-
The Bengals let Watts fall into their laps, and walked away with a B.

Somewhere a general manager is explaining how Xavier Watts got past him. The Bengals do not have to explain a thing at No. 84. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B.

The cornerback hole is the one line item this class does not answer. Wide receiver was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.

The dealing was even money, start to finish.

In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the cornerback spot they never got to.

Pick Analysis
Pick17 Rnd1 Tetairoa McMillan
A quiet steal in slot 17: Tetairoa McMillan for less than the market said. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick49 Rnd2 Jihaad Campbell
Jihaad Campbell at pick No. 49 is money in the bank, a linebacker taken below his worth. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick84 Rnd3 Xavier Watts
The board fumbled Xavier Watts all the way to pick 84, and they scooped it up. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Pick117 Rnd4 Jack Bech
A wide receiver of that caliber at the 117th pick is the definition of value, full stop. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick152 Rnd5 Hayden Conner
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Hayden Conner in the Round 5 slot. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Pick156 Rnd5 Ollie Gordon II
Ollie Gordon II at No. 156 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.