More than almost any team in the NFL, the Bengals’ draft strategy can be predicted.
Director of player personnel Duke Tobin has held the keys to the draft forever and the lieutenants of the operation haven’t changed since Zac Taylor arrived in 2019, with director of college scouting Mike Potts running that show the entire time.
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Now with a six-year sample, there are traits and trends we know by heart.
You can specifically find them reading through the exhaustive content in “The Beast.” Yes, every on-field metric and feel from scouts shapes the conversation, but Dane Brugler’s magnum opus offers an impossible amount of off-field character information teams sweat over in the months leading up to the draft.
It delivered a clearer picture of players who look more — and less — like Bengals than the surface analysis has allowed.
I aim to connect the exhaustive details in “The Beast” with the Bengals’ preferences and validate a few names you’ve likely heard often in this process but also to uncover a few new ones to consider.
First, let’s recap the most notable traits the Bengals historically value:
• Team captain: Captains and noted leaders litter the Bengals’ draft classes.
• Played through injury, loves practice, loyal teammate: Key indicator of loving ball and competitiveness.
• Big programs (SEC-heavy) with big performances in the biggest games: Nine of the last 10 first- and second-round picks played in the College Football Playoff.
• Elite athletic traits in top two rounds: Each of the last six first- and second-round picks had an RAS score of at least 8.31 — all at elite levels.
• Massive offensive tackles, pass protectors and gap scheme maulers: Size, power and pass protection first have become the calling card up front.
• Resistance to early tight ends, running backs and linebackers: The last LB before Round 3 was in 2009 and Taylor has never picked a running back before Round 5.
• One of 30 private visits: Each of the first five picks last year made a Top 30 visit.
Round 1
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Brugler ranking: 17th overall, Safety 1
Boxes checked: Team captain, elite tester (10.0 RAS), SEC, private visit, played through injury (one missed game in three years)
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The Beast nugget: He learned toughness and competitive mentality at a young age as the youngest of five boys. Pair this with only missing one game in three years and the physical, competitive, ball-loving nature of Emmanwori stands out. You can almost hear Bengals coaches raving about it now, citing examples from his Top 30 visit.
Analysis: Outside of not playing in the College Football Playoff, Emmanwori checks as many boxes as any first-round prospect. The added variable here is what we don’t know about new defensive coordinator Al Golden. He could view an Emmanwori addition as an opportunity to play more three-safety looks with him dropping down as a big nickel with Jordan Battle and Geno Stone behind him. The versatility and rare athleticism running a 4.38 at 6-3, 220 pounds opens up myriad options for reformatting the defense.
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Brugler ranking: 24th overall, Guard 1
Boxes checked: SEC, College Football Playoff, massive OL, gap scheme, team captain, play through injury
The Beast nugget: Team captain who describes himself as a “natural born leader” and gets most out of teammates (NFL scout: “He keeps everyone accountable in that locker room … After (Alabama’s) Vandy loss, ‘Book’ was the guy who got everyone back on track.”
Analysis: Booker doesn’t check the elite athlete box, but his raw power, tenacity, scheme fit and immovable anchor could be enough to offset that miss. The leadership, durability and physicality will play in a big way in the Bengals draft room as will holding down a starting spot at Alabama. Taylor has selected an Alabama player in the first three rounds of half of his drafts in Cincinnati. The Bengals have a gaping hole at the position, which could force their hand to use a first-rounder on guard for the first time since 2012.
Day 2
Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona
Brugler ranking: 55th overall, Guard 4
Boxes checked: Massive OL, play through injury, private visit, competitiveness, elite athletic traits
The Beast nugget: He didn’t miss a game and played three different positions over his three years. Split time evenly between right tackle (364 snaps) and left tackle (345) in 2024, but he didn’t complain about the shuffling (Savaiinaea: “Wherever my coaches want me, I’ll play there. Whatever the team needs.”) NFL scouts say his swagger helped maintain Arizona’s culture after Jedd Fisch left following 2023 season
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Analysis: Has size, position flexibility to raise the group’s floor, competitiveness and personality all fit nicely into the Bengals’ crosshairs at No. 49. It would make 100 percent sense why they would bring him in for a visit. Also, Taylor maintains a close relationship with former Arizona head coach Fisch, adding close knowledge of the personality, which checks out. His 9.19 RAS score shows off his quality combination of speed and power.
JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State
Brugler ranking: 43rd overall, Edge 8
Boxes checked: Big school, big games College Football Playoff, elite athletic testing, play through injury, competitiveness
The Beast nugget: Saw the most double teams and chips on a talented defensive line. Consistently battles through minor injuries; played in all 55 games over the past four seasons including 35 straight starts.
Analysis: The Bengals love players who play big in the biggest games and on top of one of the greatest games by an edge rusher you’ll see as a freshman in a huge game at Penn State, he played his best football during OSU’s run to the title last year with 20 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble. That will carry extra weight in the Bengals’ draft room. He brings elite quick twitch and athleticism (9.34 RAS, top 10 among edges).
Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College
Brugler ranking: 79th overall, Offensive Tackle 7
Boxes checked: Big offensive lineman, pass protection strength, elite athletic testing, team captain
The Beast nugget: Ozzy’s father, Steve, was a great player at Boston College, inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2001 and a fourth-round pick playing five NFL seasons. He received several other notable offers graduating with a 4.0 GPA and offers from Northwestern and Yale, also.
Analysis: Somewhere in the Bengals’ onboarding manual it states all offensive tackles must be at least 6-foot-8 and tower over the defense. He checks that box at 6-8, 316 pounds. With a coaching staff full of coaches’ sons, they will appreciate his NFL bloodlines that go with his specialty in pass protection and versatility to flip to both sides as a swing tackle. The team captain didn’t have a single penalty in 772 offensive snaps last season.
Day 3
Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
Brugler rank: Linebacker 6
Boxes checked: Team captain, SEC, competitiveness, elite athletic traits, played through injury
The Beast nugget: Described as a “weight-room addict” and twice named “lifter of the year” at Georgia Tech; won Gamecocks’ Strength and Conditioning Award. Established himself as a Gamecocks leader and team captain despite just one season in the program.
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Analysis: Plays in the style of Germaine Pratt and comes with many of the same accolades and background that made Pratt a third-round pick out of N.C. State. His ability to show up for one year at South Carolina and be viewed as a captain will leave a mark in the Bengals’ draft room. His dedication to his body and the weight program in college proves what football means to him. Throw in SEC experience and extensive special teams background as an insurance policy if the linebacker position doesn’t take.
Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
Brugler rank: Defensive tackle 12
Boxes checked: Leader, private visit, big programs, played through injury, elite athletic testing
The Beast nugget: Earned single-digit jersey past two seasons, in team vote representing the team’s toughest players. Team-first attitude (head coach Matt Rhule: “I can’t express how much Ty means to me. … I can’t express it.”)
Analysis: Robinson, hailing from Taylor’s alma mater, has a reputation for extreme toughness and enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 (12.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks) at defensive tackle. His testing (9.89 RAS, including critical elite broad jump) and personality are worth betting on. It makes perfect sense why the Bengals brought him in for a visit and it’s not to talk with Taylor about favorite restaurants on campus.
Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Brugler rank: Running back 20
Boxes checked: Team captain, production, played through injury
The Beast nugget: Twice voted a team captain by teammates (also voted “best dancer” in the locker room, according to several teammates).
Analysis: The Bengals will be searching for running backs midway through Day 3, trying to replicate the success of Chase Brown two years ago. Monangai checks a few of the Brown boxes, particularly his work ethic, workhorse background and likability. He’s not nearly as explosive as Brown but brings a different style that the Bengals could utilize. He’s a willing blocker with perfect ball security (zero career fumbles in 707 touches), durable and capable of getting north-south using his short-area elusiveness.
(Photo of Nick Emmanwori: Kevin Jairaj / Imagn Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
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