Bengals mocked top three overall former recruit to fix defense
One of the most notable expert mocks had the Bengals do just that.
Now, Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus has done the same, grabbing the Bengals Walter Nolen from Ole Miss:
Far too often Cincinnati's defense in 2024 leaned on Trey Hendrickson to save the day. Nolen gives the Bengals a legitimate threat to complement Hendrickson on the edge. Nolen was a top-three overall recruit in the 2022 class due to his top-tier strength and explosiveness. That natural talent developed into something special at Ole Miss this past season and is only trending up.
RELATED: Bengals QB Joe Burrow makes a promise to Caitlin Clark
It's worth wondering if Nolen will actually fall to No. 17 by the time the draft arrives. But he's certainly going to hang around near the top of Bengals-specific big boards right up until Round 1 starts.
Those Bengals could use an infusion of talent and versatility along the defensive line. B.J. Hill is a free agent and might get more on the open market than they are willing to pay, especially if big money goes to Trey Hendrickson.
Adding Nolen to a younger front that already has sophomores Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson could go a long way toward turning around the unit quickly under the guidance of new coordinator Al Golden.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
Bengals training camp takeaways: Four things that mattered from Week 1
CINCINNATI — With Shemar Stewart finally signed and only haggling over guaranteed money remaining between the Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson, the conversation thankfully returned to the field this week. In many ways, this team was pretty boring through three days. That's kind of been the point, though. The distractions and sideshows of last year had to go. They needed to be replaced by competitiveness and an all-encompassing emphasis on starting the season faster. Advertisement The Bengals were business-like through three practices. The defense enjoyed moments. Joe Burrow and the offense had more than their fair share, and kicker Evan McPherson didn't miss a field goal. Coach Zac Taylor stated during the offseason program that he wanted July and August to be about this team focusing on itself, about building the cohesion and chemistry that lacked in the 2024 disappointment. That's why there are no joint practices on the schedule, increased competitive environments on and off the field and more players taking the lead at team meetings. Despite all the chatter on the outside, inside the ropes of the Bengals' training camp launch this week, there was just solid work. That's a welcome step in the right direction. One more step — bringing the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year back to the building — the momentum would start to build. Here are thoughts on what developments and observations mattered this week. Was that worth it? Everybody happy? The Bengals got their default language through, and Stewart's camp got a portion of the signing bonus earlier. Cool. Throughout this entire process of public mud-slinging — from agent to team and front office back the other direction — over next to nothing, only one thought kept coming back to me (besides this being maybe the dumbest storyline I've ever covered): I feel bad for Shemar Stewart. In many ways, he's a victim here. That word caught some blowback when I posted it on social media following the signing Friday night. Inevitably, yes, he could have ended this at any point. He could have signed the practice waiver in the offseason program — which was his actual biggest mistake in this entire process. He could have told his agent, Zac Hiller, to end the charade weeks ago. He could have chosen to stay quiet and not take shots at the organization in the process. That's all true. Advertisement Yet, Stewart is 21 years old. He's entering a world he has no true understanding of and learning how everything should operate on the fly. He's a raw, perhaps immature, prospect, which is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He relies on those who are supposed to be looking out for his best interests to steer him in the best direction for his career. That is Hiller, and that is the Bengals' front office. Neither did. They got caught up in this war of words that escalated in an unimaginable way over what's typically a rubber-stamp contract. Now, Stewart, already not a fan-favorite selection at No. 17, must start his Bengals career in a tough spot, with a fan base holding high expectations, desperate for Stewart to bring new life to this pass rush. Teammates might not say so publicly, but there's an undeniable human element of wondering how much he cares about the team, considering what unfolded since draft day. Consider the exact opposite approach that was taken by second-round pick Demetrius Knight, a 25-year-old, mature father of two, who signed the practice waiver like every other unsigned draft pick. 'I wanted to show my teammates that I care,' Knight said. 'It's about more than the money for me. I have a family that I am providing for, and I know that in the long run, this is where I want my family to be for my entire career. It's important to establish and show the people upstairs that I know that we will get to an agreement, and until then, I am going to continue to go to work regardless of if there is a contract or not.' Knight's already being talked about as a leader, starter and future captain by his teammates. Stewart no longer has the benefit of the doubt and has to earn it back. His career arc was already going to require patience; now that patience is largely lost. He starts his career with one strike against him before he's ever put on the striped helmet. Yeah, you can say he needed to grow up and make a decision earlier, but he's not grown up yet. Being young might be an excuse, but it's valid context. The grown-ups around him were supposed to protect him. Thankfully, that's over now. Everyone can finally start evaluating what Stewart can actually do on the field for a team that badly needs him to make an impact. A quietly significant storyline of camp has been the need for McPherson to reconnect with the kicker who became a fan favorite and earned a lucrative contract extension over the first three years of his career. With McPherson entering his fifth season, just one year removed from that extension, it's fair to wonder how long the leash will be if he struggles out of the gate. He was 6 of 12 from 40-plus yards last season, a far cry from the weapon he was from deep early in his career. Advertisement McPherson opened up about changes he's made to rediscover his original form, returning to the technique he used during that time. The 26-year-old grew up and entered the league with an approach, using the spacing between his plant foot and the ball, that produced a soft draw. He mastered the technique and hit the ball as far as anyone in the NFL. Yet, seeking more consistency, he altered his approach after his rookie year, trying to hit a ball that went straight as an arrow. It could take wind out of the equation in certain circumstances and, theoretically, make for a more consistent strike, limiting volatility. McPherson admitted the change did work in 2023, when he didn't miss a single kick inside 50 yards. Yet, the power numbers fell off, and last year, the entire process fell apart. This offseason, he accepted that the change didn't work, and it was time to go back to what he knew best. 'I feel more comfortable in my technique now, and I can focus on the kick and not really focus on my steps,' McPherson said. 'As a professional athlete, you are always looking for perfection, but you have to realize you are never going to get it. I was looking for the straighter ball flight and more consistent ball flight rather than hitting the draw. I found it in a certain technique, but I wasn't as consistent. 'I am going back to how I grew up learning how to kick. So all I need to focus on is my target line, and my body just kind of does the rest.' McPherson hit all 12 of his field goals this week. That included a 52-yard field goal at the end of practice, made to be worth one point in a camp-long competition, surrounded by the entire defense trying to distract him. So far, so good. 5. After a disappointing year, Evan McPherson has made all 12 of his FG attempts.'After my rookie year, I went on a deep dive to figure out how I could be more consistent,' Evan said. 'It sent me the other way. This past off-season, I kind of went back to what I grew up doing.' — Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) July 25, 2025 The resurrection of Burton's Bengals career from the ashes continued this week. The 2024 third-round pick appeared destined for one-and-done in Cincinnati and entered this year with as short a leash as possible following a disastrous rookie year that included evictions, missed practices, being left off team trips and a calamitous breach of trust with coaches and teammates. Advertisement Yet, he did all the right things through the offseason program. Which is to say, he was showing up and growing more diligent in knowing the playbook. 'He was where he was supposed to be when he was supposed to be there,' offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said, which drew a soft laugh among the media for the double meaning. 'You guys chuckle, but it's in all aspects, and I'm saying that first and foremost with him on the field — he got lined up, he did his assignment, you could tell he put the work in to be prepared to go do what we asked him to do. That includes being where you're supposed to be, when you're supposed to be there. 'That's a prerequisite, right? That doesn't mean you're gonna be a successful pro. That gives you a chance to be a successful pro. He's making the right steps in that direction.' This week, Burton repeatedly showed up in the notebook with highlight plays. He outran DJ Turner on a crossing route for a big gain. He caught a touchdown pass on a 50-50 ball over safety Tycen Anderson (confidently flipping the ball to the safety after the play) and shook cornerback Nate Brooks by 5 yards for a score in a low red zone drill. Burton has been far from perfect, and there's a way to go before he's hitting the level of detail that will land him in critical spots when the regular season begins. He has not screwed it up, though. And he's let his considerable talent, rather than erratic behavior, fill the notebook. Don't ever evaluate a positional battle on the line of scrimmage until the pads come on. So, discussing the competition at both guard spots here isn't declarative, but merely speculative. All eyes are on third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild at left guard. He's gotten every snap with the starters. All reports are solid, with the asterisk of no pads. Advertisement At right guard, Cody Ford has served as the starter every day. Veteran competition Lucas Patrick was filling in as a backup center, with second-year center Matt Lee banged up for the moment. Then Patrick hurt his lower right leg and had to leave Friday's practice early. Ford found fans on this coaching staff last year for how he handled himself when kicking outside following the injury to Orlando Brown Jr. It left them all wanting to see him in a more natural position inside at guard. He's showing it, and he currently sits at the front of the conversation to start on opening day. The competition is extremely wide open, but the arrow shifted up on Ford after the first week. (Photos of Shemar Stewart, left, and Jermaine Burton: Phil Didion / The Enquirer via Imagn Images, Jeff Dean / Associated Press)
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mike Hilton signs with Miami Dolphins; DB played four seasons for Bengals
Defensive back Mike Hilton, who played the past four seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, is signing with the Miami Dolphins, per multiple reports, including from The Bengals are scheduled to face the Dolphins in Miami in December on NBC's Sunday Night Football. Hilton, who is entering his ninth NFL season, recently posted video of Cincinnati on his Instagram story, with the caption, "It's been real!" Hilton played in 64 games with 36 starts for Cincinnati. Hilton's six interceptions as a Bengal include one returned for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. He played his first four seasons for the Steelers. In 2024, Hilton was held as Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix scrambled, but no penalty was called during the first quarter of Cincinnati's NFL Week 17 win. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mike Hilton signs with Dolphins; DB played four seasons for Bengals
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bengals sign first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart
The Cincinnati Bengals have signed their first-round draft pick. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Friday that the team agreed to a four-year, fully guaranteed contract for nearly $19 million with Shemar Stewart. 'I can't tell you how long I've been dreaming about this,' he said. TRENDING STORIES: Man arrested after hours-long police standoff prompted emergency alerts A man accused of stabbing 11 people at a Walmart is in Michigan authorities' custody Homeowner displaced after car crashes into Kettering home Stewart started 19 times in 37 games at Texas A&M from 2022-24. He had 65 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass break-ups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his college career. Stewart was drafted 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. He earned third-team All-SEC honors as a junior last season. The Bengals have now signed all six selections from the 2025 NFL Draft. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
