While it wasn’t overtly proclaimed as such, culture was a big emphasis for the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2025 NFL draft.
While resetting under new defensive coordinator Al Golden, the Bengals blatantly put a big emphasis on culture by drafting former team captains from big programs.
One of those was fourth-round linebacker Barrett Carter, a prospect who Golden said had one of the best interviews of his entire trip to the combine.
“One of the more authentic interviews I had at the combine,” Golden said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “As far as the pick, it was another unwavering moment… He’s a cultural creator. He’ll help ours.”
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While Top 30 visits with teams around the league seemed to be those teams ruling out prospects, the draft combine interviews were still very important.
During analysis of the Bengals picking Carter, there was much to like about his three-down, unique skillset that could help him be one of the best picks from the class for the team. But it’s clear the details around his on-field play were a big deciding factor for the Bengals, just like the rest of their six-prospect class.