Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals

Brandon Thorn, as good of an OL evaluator as we have in NFL media, is here to break down the Cincinnati Bengals' 2025 offensive line outlook. We get into the Bengals' rookie additions in Dylan Fairchild and Jalen Rivers, how Amarius Mims progressed over his rookie year, the potential impact of new OL coach Scott Peters, and how it all fits together with veterans Ted Karras and Orlando Brown.   Joi...

The Cincinnati Bengals created more cap space after Geno Stone agreed to a reduced salary in exchange for guarantees in 2025, similar to Zack Moss earlier this offseason. Now the question is whether they'll spend that money to improve the team - and they'd better. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down the updated cap situation for the Bengals and whether they'll use that money on external free a...

When we discussed Shemar Stewart in the pre-draft process, we mentioned other teams that would love to have him. Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Company is one of those believers. Chris Simms of NBC Sports had Stewart No. 2 in his list of edge rushers before the draft. Jake Liscow asks Justis about Stewart's traits and a development plan, and then James Rapien talks with Simms about the Bengals fi...

The Cincinnati Bengals approached the 2025 draft looking for upside. Jake Liscow is joined by CBS Sports analyst Mike Renner to get another take on the Bengals' draft, why at least 4 players in this class look like upside swings, and the similarities and differences between Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy as prospects. While Renner liked the Bengals' day 3 selections, he shares some questions abou...

In this week's NFL Squad, the crew reacts to Shedeur Sanders massive slide in the NFL Draft and how it was ultimately covered. Which NFL teams had the best first-round selections and which QB drafted has the best chance at playing right away and being in the offensive rookie of the year conversation? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k Did you know your Fire TV is also a...

In part 2 of our conversation with Mike Potts, Cincinnati Bengals Director of College Scouting, we unpack days 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Potts shares insight from the Bengals' front office on how the team landed on two linebackers and offensive linemen, and we dive into the specifics on what they liked about Dylan Fairchild, Jalen Rivers, Demetrius Knight Jr, Barrett Carter, and Tahj Brooks....

It's time for our annual discussion with Mike Potts, Cincinnati Bengals Director of College Scouting, as we reflect on the Bengals' draft class. In the first of a two-parter, Potts shares insights from the draft room that landed on Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr. to start the 2025 draft class. This episode explores the Bengals' process that led to their first round pick, the team's plan fo...

The Cincinnati Bengals are picking up Dax Hill's fifth-year option for the 2026 season. The guys breakdown what this means for Hill, the Bengals and the cornerback room! Plus, we break down Cincinnati's post-draft depth chart and take an in-depth look at the offensive line, defensive line and secondary roster battles that look like they'll definite the offseason. Join the Locked On Bengals Insider...

The Cincinnati Bengals' 2025 NFL draft can be summarized by high-character selections and early risk. Jake Liscow and James Rapien get into snap draft grades for the Bengals' class, including the risk on Shemar Stewart, a questionable approach to day 2, and good value swings on day 3. A bit of a paradoxical draft with clear potential for starters and contributors, but they missed on consensus valu...

The Cincinnati Bengals added high-character players in the 2025 NFL draft, and that theme continued with double dips on Saturday. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how day 3 picks Barrett Carter, Jalen Rivers, and Tahj Brooks fit into the Bengals' plans, and how the entire draft class comes together to be a high character group of players who can be early contributors. Join the Locked On Ben...

The Cincinnati Bengals added two potential starters on day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft with linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. and left guard Dylan Fairchild. But Jake Liscow and James Rapien have questions about the process that led the Bengals to prioritizing linebacker ahead of guard in the second round, even if the players themselves could make sense for what they're trying to do. Knight should start...

Can the Cincinnati Bengals' gamble on Shamar Stewart redefine their defensive line? With the NFL draft spotlight on Stewart, a player boasting explosive athleticism yet needing development, the Bengals are betting on potential over past performance. This episode unpacks Stewart's selection, his athletic prowess, and the risk the Bengals took with selecting him at #17.   Join the Locked On Bengals...

The 2025 NFL Draft is almost here! It's time for the annual predictive mock draft episode, so Jake Liscow and James Rapien go through 6 rounds of projecting every player the Bengals will select this weekend. In a less predictable draft than we've had in recent years, the guys explore the Derrick Harmons and Shemar Stewarts of the first round, the guard options in the second round, and so much more...

The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County have reached a memorandum of understanding on a new stadium lease! James Rapien and Jake Liscow explain what it means for the Bengals' future, plus they share thoughts on Duke Tobin's recent comments ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, some under-the-radar targets and more! Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Fin...

Duke Tobin's annual pre-draft presser always includes bits of insight when you can read between the lines. And as we get closer and closer to Thursday, Jake Liscow and James Rapien are gathering more and more information about how the Bengals will approach the draft, with more specific insights about particular players. The guys break down Tobin's pre-draft presser takeaways as we're trying to wor...

But what about second breakfast? Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry navigate the mock draft simulator for one final Mock Draft Monday as Draft Week 2025 has arrived, and explore the possibility of an early double dip at guard. What if the Bengals just, finally, protected Joe Burrow and figured the rest out later?  Join the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals Fin...

Given the Cincinnati Bengals' needs heading into the 2025 NFL draft, what combination of players makes the most sense for their first 3 picks? Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry break down three 3-round scenarios featuring players like Malaki Starks, Deone Walker, Xavier Watts, and Kelvin Banks Jr. in a "choose your adventure" discussion that explores the upside and opportunity cost to each approach. J...

In this week's NFL Squad, the crew reacts to the Locked On Network's league wide mock draft. Which rookies are offensive rookie and defensive rookie of the year candidates. Which picks did the panel disagree with, and which teams had the best mock draft?   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and ente...

Who will the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers select in the 2025 NFL Draft? Walter Nolen, Tyler Booker, James Pearce Jr., Omarion Hampton, Kenneth Grant, and Colston Loveland come off the board. Locked On’s seven-episode Mock Draft is here.  For every episode of the 2025 Locked On NFL Mock Draft search Locked O...

The ideal candidates for the Cincinnati Bengals' first round pick are clear. Jake Liscow and Joe Goodberry discuss why certain guys should not be considered at 17, and why Kelvin Banks Jr, Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon, Nick Emmanwori, and Malaki Starks are leading the charge. Plus, the guys discuss Mike Green and Jihaad Campbell, who would be on the list if they clear various questions. Join the L...

The NFL draft is a crapshoot, but every year we put together a spreadsheet to identify the best prospects by marrying film with analytics. Jake Liscow is joined by Joe Goodberry, the godfather of Cincinnati Bengals draft content creation, to break down the 2025 "Draft Sheet" to discuss some of the best fits for the Bengals at guard, defensive line, linebacker, and safety. Whether it's Kelvin Banks...

Pre-draft visits for the Cincinnati Bengals suggest they're preparing contingencies for first round possibilities outside of the trenches, and that trend continued with DT T.J. Sanders and OL Jalen Rivers on reported visits this week. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how the latest visits fit in with their trends that continue to suggest they're preparing to address the trenches on day 2 if...

In our penultimate Mock Draft Monday before the 2025 NFL Draft, Locked On Bengals is here to patch as many holes as they can with early impact players in a 4-round mock draft simulator run. Jake Liscow and James Rapien talk through the options into the beginning of day 3, landing two potential day-1 starters, and players who should slot right in for early contributions on a Cincinnati Bengals defe...

The Cincinnati Bengals are doing their due diligence on round 2 running backs with in-person visits ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how serious the interest is after in-person visits with Kaleb Johnson, Quinshon Judkins, and TreVeyon Henderson, while the Bengals have plenty of competing needs for their 2nd round pick. Then, the guys discuss the leadership quali...

The Cincinnati Bengals are going to have a tough time doing EVERYTHING in the 2025 NFL draft. Jake Liscow and James Rapien break down how the Bengals are juggling needs for a starting guard, linebacker, and upgrades on the defensive line in the draft.  That doesn't even mention an opportunity to upgrade positions like tight end and running back that could be seen as "luxuries" on offense. Plus, th...