Bengals Meeting With Elite Edge Rusher Prospect Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Cincinnati holds the 10th pick in the first round this month.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, with sharp planes of navy blue, orange, and white representing the Bengals' colors.A cubist interpretation of a top NFL draft prospect's intense pass-rushing technique captures the explosive energy of the modern game.Glendale Today

The Bengals are locking in a pre-draft visit with projected top 10 pick Rueben Bain Jr. this weekend. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted the visit on Friday morning. According to the Mock Draft Database's consensus big board, Bain ranks second among edge rushers and seventh overall.

Why it matters

The Bengals hold the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and are looking to bolster their defense, particularly at edge rusher. Bain is considered one of the top prospects at the position and could be an ideal fit for Cincinnati if he falls to them at 10.

The details

Bain is a 6-foot-2, 263-pound edge rusher from the University of Miami. He is known for his durability, production, and strong leadership qualities. The Bengals are one of several teams that have shown interest in Bain, with the Kansas City Chiefs also hosting him for a pre-draft visit.

  • Bain is visiting the Bengals this weekend.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26.

The players

Rueben Bain Jr.

A projected top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the second-ranked edge rusher on the Mock Draft Database's consensus big board.

Ian Rapoport

An NFL Network reporter who noted the Bengals' meeting with Bain.

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What they’re saying

“If Bain's sitting there at 10, is that their edge? And it certainly could be. But they also could take the other corner. I think Miami at 11 could take a corner. I know Dallas would love to have one, but I don't think either of them (Jermod McCoy or Mansoor Delane) gets to 12. I actually don't know that either of them gets to 11 is the point I'm trying to make.”

— Todd McShay, Analyst

“He's just a great player, great character, great person. There's nothing negative about Rueben Bain. I know as we get closer to the draft, everybody will try to shoot holes in his game or his size, or this or that, but he is one of the classiest individuals that's ever played at the University of Miami. Great family, tremendous leadership in that family. He never takes his eye off the ball. And I just think he's going to be a long-time NFL player, because he wants to be great. It's important to him. It's important to him to be a tremendous teammate. And he likes to be coached. There is nothing negative to say about Rueben Bain.”

— Joe Zagacki, Miami radio voice

What’s next

The Bengals will continue to evaluate Bain and other top prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 24-26.

The takeaway

The Bengals are doing their due diligence on one of the top edge rusher prospects in the 2026 draft class. Bain's visit to Cincinnati suggests he is firmly in the mix for the team's first-round selection, as they look to bolster their defense and find a long-term solution at the position.