Bengals Unveil 2026 Draft Picks

Top prospects projected to join Cincinnati's defense in upcoming NFL Draft

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:30pm

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The Cincinnati Bengals hold the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and experts have identified several top defensive prospects that could be selected to bolster the team's roster. Linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs, edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., and cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy are among the players frequently mocked to the Bengals in recent projections.

Why it matters

The Bengals are looking to continue building a strong defensive unit after making the playoffs in 2025. Adding blue-chip talent at key positions like linebacker, secondary, and pass rush could elevate the team's defense to an elite level and help them contend for a Super Bowl title.

The details

Styles, a converted safety from Ohio State, impressed at the NFL Combine with his rare athletic traits. Downs, also from Ohio State, is viewed as one of the top overall players in the draft class due to his versatility and playmaking ability in the secondary. Bain, from Miami, is praised for his relentless motor and ability to pressure the quarterback. Delane, a transfer from Virginia Tech to LSU, emerged as a shutdown corner, while McCoy from Tennessee is considered a high-upside prospect despite missing the 2025 season with an injury.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April.

The players

Sonny Styles

A linebacker from Ohio State who impressed at the NFL Combine with his athleticism, including a 4.46 40-yard dash and 43-inch vertical leap.

Caleb Downs

A safety from Ohio State who is viewed as one of the top overall players in the draft class due to his versatility and playmaking ability in the secondary.

Rueben Bain Jr.

An edge rusher from Miami who is praised for his relentless motor and ability to pressure the quarterback.

Mansoor Delane

A cornerback who transferred from Virginia Tech to LSU, emerging as a shutdown corner with 11 pass breakups and 2 interceptions in 2025.

Jermod McCoy

A cornerback from Tennessee who missed the 2025 season with an injury but is still considered a high-upside prospect.

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What they’re saying

“Arguably the star of this year's combine given the freakish traits (4.46 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical leap) he put on display, the 6-foot-5, 244-pound converted safety is too good to pass up for a defense in transition”

— Nate Davis, USA Today Sports

“The Bengals can take the best defensive player available here. Downs has versatility, and his Big Ten pedigree will be well received by Cincinnati's decision-makers.”

— Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com

“Arguably the best player in the draft, Downs is falling down the order in mocks due to positional value. If he manages to get to No. 10, the Bengals should sprint the card in for a player who earned an 85.0-plus PFF overall grade in three straight seasons.”

— Gordon McGuinness, Pro Football Focus

“My favorite part about Bain's game isn't when he's able to get pressure in advantageous situations. Rather, it's his motor. He goes eight million mph on every single snap. I don't care about his arm length just watch him play.”

— Joel Klatt, FOX Sports

“The talented technician is a plug-and-play starter with the instincts, awareness and movement skills to take on the premier WR1s in the NFL.”

— Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

What’s next

The Bengals will have the opportunity to select one of these top defensive prospects with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in April.

The takeaway

The Bengals are poised to add significant defensive talent in the upcoming draft, with experts projecting the team to target impact players at key positions like linebacker, safety, edge rusher, and cornerback. These additions could help elevate Cincinnati's defense to an elite level and position the team for a deep playoff run.