In hindsight, the Cincinnati Bengals’ run into the 2025 NFL Draft has been a roller coaster.
Fans are aware of the struggles of first-round pick Seamus Stewart and linebackers Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter.
advertise
But Bengals linebacker Dylan Fairchild also had a fantastic rookie debut and played a key role in assembling the best offensive line of the Joe Burrow era.
Zooming out, here’s a quick look at the Bengals’ rookie grades from Pro Football Focus:
Bengals rookie grades
-
Demetrius Knight Jr., LB: 41.4
Related: Bengals draft prospects: No. 10 picks in last 10 draft picks
Fairchild’s performance actually ranked fifth among all rookie guards. The Bengals hope the rookie linebacker’s mid-season rebuilding efforts lead to higher results next year.
First-round pick Stewart dealt with multiple injuries in the offseason, so again, they’re hoping for a big jump next year.
advertise
It’s worth noting that Howard Cross has a 48.3 grade on the defensive line in limited snaps and cornerback Bralyn Lux has a 73.7 grade in a small sample size, so they may stick around for a while.
Related: The Bengals’ most regressed player in 2025
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals rookie grade feels incomplete heading into crucial offseason
