Bengals' most neglected problem finally fixed in early 2027 NFL Mock Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals' ability to draft top-tier talent hasn't been so much about where they draft in the pecking order as much as straight-up poor scouting evaluations. Hence why me and many fans were so thrilled they traded the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence this year.

Unless the Bengals really go against character and trade their first-rounder again in 2027, they'll be on the clock on Day 1 of the draft in April. And we all know how south that goes with disturbing regularity (see: Shemar Stewart).

But what if Cincinnati chooses a stud in Round 1 for once? Amarius Mims and Ja'Marr Chase are the only ones who fit that description during the Joe Burrow era. How about somebody who could transform the defense?

Bengals find a franchise LB in Notre Dame star Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa in first-round mock draft

NBC Sports analyst and NFL Stock Exchange podcast host Connor Rogers dropped his first 2027 mock draft and it's a doozy for Cincinnati. Adding Notre Dame's Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa to the linebacker corps would be nothing less than a franchise-changing move. Here's Rogers' analysis:

"Viliamu-Asa’s size, range and overall nose for the ball pops on tape. He’s an incredibly effective blitzer for passing downs and his ability against the run helps his defense get to those situations. The Bengals could use more from their linebackers and he’d give a big boost to their front seven."

Now Rogers does have the Bengals picking 23rd overall, so there's a chance they'll be further back than that in the event of a deep playoff run. While I would typically advise against trading up for a linebacker, well, let's face it: What more does Cincinnati need to complete this roster?

I get that the team is committed to the ends of the earth to Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter for 2026. However, I have a bad feeling one of them is going to cost us a Super Bowl.

Rather than paying big money to any outside free agent, Cincinnati could just get aggressive draft capital-wise to score Viliamu-Asa sometime in Round 1.

The only major red flag for Viliamu-Asa is that he's torn his left ACL twice, once early in high school and again last November. However, he showed no ill effects this year and was ready to roll at the top of the season. He's gutted through a left thumb/wrist injury with a cast and is still producing at a ridiculous level.

In addition to logging an elite 90.9 PFF grade this season, the site's big board write-up on Viliamu-Asa that cites his 2025 production highlights just how phenomenal of an all-around player he is:

"Viliamu-Asa led college football in PFF run-defense grade (94.0) last season. He also tallied 23 pressures and four sacks as a pass-rusher. In coverage, he allowed a passer rating of 55.0. The sample size may be small (435 snaps), but when he's on the field, he plays like the very best linebacker in the nation."

So let me get this straight: He's an uncannily good run defender who can also rush the passer and play on the edge when called upon. And he's that sticky in coverage?

Sign me up. Enough of the Carter and Knight duo. I mean inevitably one of them will stick, but it's pretty clear Viliamu-Asa could step in and start right away in Cincy by next season. The question is, will he fall to the Bengals in the draft?

Had the Bengals listened to me, we could've had Sexy Dexy and Sonny Styles at the mere cost of Cashius Howell, a third-round pick next year we have Trey Hendrickson's comp pick to somewhat offset, and only an additional 2027 second-rounder.

WOULD'VE BEEN PRETTY NICE, EH?

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