CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals selected Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild in the third round (81st overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. Fairchild will instantly compete for the starting left guard job. Sports Illustrated writer Daniel Flick believes it was one of the best third round selections.

Head coach Zac Taylor said last week that the franchise's decision to draft defensive end Shemar Stewart with the No. 17 pick of the 2025 NFL draft had nothing to do with Hendrickson, and that he doesn't "think you can ever have enough defensive linemen, especially in this league and this division."

The Cincinnati Bengals hit some major needs in the 2025 NFL draft with one glaring exception -- that pesky safety spot that has hurt the franchise since Jessie Bates left. After not addressing the safety position during the draft,