Okeana's 2025 Final Mock Draft

[*ochocincos*]

(04-17-2025, 12:20 PM)Okeana Wrote: TRADE

17th overall pick to KC ( Drafts Kelvin Banks after an early run on Offensive lineman )
Bengals pick 119

We receive pick 31, 63, 66

Calculator confirms its a fair trade

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Pick 31 - Jihaad Campbell / LB / Alabama  - Falls to 31 over positional value and rumored injury concerns for year 1.  Al Golden is a linebacker guy and Jihaad is a guy that fits the system well.  He's great in run defense and coverage, can spy, and has the athletic upside to be a 3rd down rusher in certain packages.  3rd and long, just drop him in at left end as a rusher, go to a 4/2/5. short yardage situation, move to a 4/3/4 and have him cover the run or a tight end.

Pick 49 - Tate Ratledge / RG / Georgia - has the athleticism to be an elite guard, high character, comes from a championship system, and has played beside mims before.  If he's gone at 49, just take the center at Georgia, Jared Wilson, and you're talking about a younger guy with the same kinda upside.  We finally get a guy that can block 3 tech at a high level.

Pick 63 - TJ Sanders / DT / SC - I'm not the biggest Sanders guy, but he fits the needs, and we have had him in on a visit.  Personally, I would draft CJ West over him because I think he has the higher upside, and I like my thick defensive tackles.  That said, Sander's has a pretty high floor, and you're getting a BJ Hill or Levi Onwuzurike at worst

Pick 66 - Kevin Winston Jr / S / Penn State -  I can see Kevin playing at either safety position and that may be his role on the team.  above average athletic profile and he's shown good flashes on tape.  Big School program and physical measurements to fit what the bengals like at Safety.

Pick 81 - Ashton Gillotte / EDGE / Louisville - My steal of the draft.  Great speed to power conversion, played all over the line at Louisville, fast enough to get the edge on tackles, bull rush guards, and is a great finisher.  Good in run defense.  I think with coaching and athletic development, he has the potential to be a Robert Mathis type player.  just needs to develop his toolset

Pick 153 - Dont'e Thornton / WR / Tennessee -  Thornton is a Vertical wide receiver with a limited route tree.  I think he's a great tool for our system because we need that burner down the sideline who can be a rotational upside guy.  Just think Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Pick 193 - Trevor Etienne / RB / Georgia - Rotational Back who has upside as a receiver, runner, and blocker.   he's still very young with not a lot of miles on him.  His one concern is a DUI he had while still 19 years old.  I never see him as a high volume back, but for the role he will play for us, i think its a good fit.

I'd be cool with this, and I think trade down to get an extra Day 2 pick (or multiple picks) is a good way to go...if they can find a trade partner.

Really like the first 3 picks.
I don't know how well Winston is as a true cover or ball hawking FS (just 1 INT in 3 seasons), but he's fast so maybe he can be ok at FS. Should be good at SS if anything.
I had mocked Gillotte last Fall, and I'd be on board with him now.
Maybe not a guy who would be a 3-down heavy-snap DE, but he could be a situational pass rusher and put up a handful of sacks a season, which the team could use.
Gillotte has done well getting now above 250 lbs and posting elite explosion, speed, and agility scores compared to DEs. https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=27320&ovl=Louisville