Bengals Prioritize Secondary with 10th Overall Pick

After free agency moves, Cincinnati focused on cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy in the draft.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a football game, with the players' forms broken down into abstract shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the Bengals' secondary reinforcements, with their top draft targets emerging from a fragmented field of play.Cincinnati Today

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to address their secondary with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to ESPN's Matt Miller. The team's top priorities are cornerbacks Mansoor Delane of LSU and Jermod McCoy of Tennessee, with at least one of them expected to be available when the Bengals select.

Why it matters

The Bengals made several key defensive signings in free agency, including edge rusher Boye Mafe, which has allowed them to shift their focus to the secondary with their first-round pick. Cornerback has emerged as a clear need for Cincinnati, and landing a top prospect like Delane or McCoy would significantly bolster their defensive backfield.

The details

After signing Boye Mafe in free agency, the Bengals have turned their attention to the secondary as their top priority with the 10th overall pick. ESPN's Matt Miller reports that cornerbacks Mansoor Delane of LSU and Jermod McCoy of Tennessee are the top options the team is considering, with at least one of them expected to be available when Cincinnati selects.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 2026.

The players

Mansoor Delane

A cornerback prospect from LSU who is considered one of the top options for the Bengals at the 10th overall pick.

Jermod McCoy

A cornerback prospect from Tennessee who is also in the mix for the Bengals' first-round selection.

Boye Mafe

An edge rusher the Bengals signed in free agency, which has allowed them to shift their focus to the secondary with their first-round pick.

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What they’re saying

“The Bengals are in prime position to address their cornerback need at No. 10. Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) sit atop the CB board, and it's likely one will be there when Cincinnati picks. After signing Mafe, it sounds like the secondary is the team's Round 1 priority.”

— Matt Miller, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Bengals will continue to evaluate Delane, McCoy, and other top cornerback prospects leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, with the goal of landing a player who can immediately upgrade their secondary.

The takeaway

By addressing their edge rush needs in free agency, the Bengals have positioned themselves to focus on the secondary with their first-round pick. Cornerback has emerged as a clear priority, and the team is well-positioned to land a top prospect like Mansoor Delane or Jermod McCoy to bolster their defensive backfield.