Bengals Must Make Bold Trade to Land Elite Edge Rusher in 2026 NFL Draft

Cincinnati can trade down from No. 10 overall to acquire a proven pass-rusher and additional draft capital.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:19am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a football player in the midst of a pass rush, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy, orange, and silver colors, conveying the dynamic energy and disruption of an elite edge defender.A bold trade could help the Bengals land a game-changing pass rusher to power their defense.Cincinnati Today

The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a glaring need at edge rusher after losing Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai in free agency. Rather than play it safe with a high-floor pick at No. 10 overall, the Bengals should consider a bold trade with the Los Angeles Rams to acquire proven Pro Bowl edge defender Byron Young and additional draft capital.

Why it matters

The Bengals are in 'win-now' mode and need to find a game-changing pass-rusher to compete with elite offenses in the AFC. Acquiring Young would immediately upgrade their defensive front and provide the kind of disruptive presence that can alter the trajectory of a game.

The details

By trading the No. 10 overall pick to the Rams in exchange for the No. 61 selection, a 2027 second-round pick, and Byron Young, the Bengals can solve their edge-rushing woes while still adding a potentially impactful player in the second round. Young is coming off a dominant 12-sack season and would pair nicely with recent free agent signing Boye Mafe and interior disruptor Jonathan Allen.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Byron Young

A 26-year-old edge rusher for the Los Angeles Rams who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2025 after recording 12 sacks.

Trey Hendrickson

A former Bengals edge rusher who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.

Joseph Ossai

A former Bengals edge rusher who signed with the New York Jets in free agency.

Boye Mafe

A free agent edge rusher signed by the Bengals this offseason.

Jonathan Allen

A veteran defensive tackle signed by the Bengals in free agency to bolster their defensive line.

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What they’re saying

“The Bengals need to stop thinking about how to fill a roster spot and start thinking about how to weaponize their draft position to dismantle the hierarchy of the AFC.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

“For the Cincinnati Bengals, the No. 10 overall pick represents a massive asset. Of course, it also represents a choice between status quo development and a radical redirection of the franchise's immediate future.”

— Enzo Flojo, Author

What’s next

The Bengals will need to negotiate a trade with the Rams during the 2026 NFL Draft in order to acquire Byron Young and additional draft capital.

The takeaway

By making a bold move to trade down from No. 10 overall and acquire a proven pass-rusher in Byron Young, the Bengals can immediately upgrade their defensive front and give themselves the best chance to compete for a championship in 2026.