Before this week's big event, here's a look at a seven-round mock draft that features the Bengals making a small leap up the draft order to get a blue-chip weapon for the defense, courtesy of Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator.

NFL.com's Chad Reuter has the Bengals drafting Georgia's Mykel Williams, who said he played at 60 percent last season because of an ankle injury.

The Cincinnati Bengals have shown "extensive" interest in a local running back ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. According to The Draft Network's Ryan Fowler, the Bengals have been putting in notable work on Cincinnati Bearcats running back Corey Kiner.