After finishing the 2024 season 9-8 for the second straight year, the Bengals hold the 17th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bengals have been in this position before, most recently in 2012. Let’s take a look at their complete history with this pick:

2012 – Dre Kirkpatrick, Cornerback

The Bengals most recent pick at 17th overall came back in 2012. It was the first of two first round selections the Bengals made that year. With their first pick, the Bengals made Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick a Cincinnati Bengal at 17th overall.

Kirkpatrick finally got his chance to be a full-time starter in his fourth season in 2015 despite recording three interceptions in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. Kirkpatrick spent eight seasons with the Bengals, starting 67 out of 99 games and recording 10 interceptions with the team. While never a pro bowler, Kirkpatrick carved out a solid career in Cincinnati as a starter for several seasons which saw five playoff appearances.

2005 – David Pollack, Linebacker

David Pollack is one of the biggest ‘what-ifs’ in Bengals history. Taken 17th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Georgia Bulldog was a highly touted recruit. Pollack was a two-time All-American, two-time SEC defensive player of the year (2002, 2004) and won the Chuck Bednarik award in 2004 for best defensive player in the country. His potential was off the charts.

Unfortunately, Pollack’s NFL career was much less fruitful as it lasted only 16 games over two seasons. Pollack decided to medically retire following a neck injury during week two of the 2006 season. Pollack missed the rest of the 2006 season and the entire 2007 season before officially retiring in 2008. Pollack recorded 4.5 sacks, 28 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery in his rookie season before his sophomore year was cut short after 2 games with the injury.

1998 – Brian Simmons, Linebacker

The Bengals selected Linebacker Brian Simmons out of North Carolina in the 1998 NFL Draft. Brian Simmons became one of the Bengals best linebackers of all-time. Simmons leads all Bengals linebackers in pass deflections with 39, he’s second all-time in Bengals history with 13 forced fumbles, and has the most tackles for loss among Bengals linebackers with 52. Simmons was paired with fellow Linebacker Takeo Spikes for five years in Cincinnati after both were drafted together in 1998. Simmons and Spikes formed one of the Bengals best defensive duos ever before Spikes left in free agency after 2002. Simmons went on to play for the Bengals through 2006.

1987 – Jason Buck, Defensive End

The Bengals made Defensive End, Jason Buck their first ever selection at 17th overall. The BYU product spent his first four seasons with the team that drafted him, totaling 14.5 out of his 19 career sacks. Buck didn’t become a full-time starter until his third year in Cincinnati in 1989 and only started 22 games in his 4 seasons in stripes. Buck would leave the Bengals in 1991, joining the then Washington Redskins where he won a Super Bowl. Buck made a Super Bowl with the Bengals as well in 1988 but fell just short. Buck was never a pro bowler and lasted seven seasons in the league.

The Bengals selections at 17th overall have all been defensive players. That trend could certainly continue in this year’s draft as the Bengals need significant pass rush help and could stand to upgrade their secondary as well. The Bengals defense ranked 25th in 2024, the 17th overall pick could be the first step in improving that mark.