Bengals Can't Afford to Ignore Fast-Rising Draft Sleeper Treydan Stukes

Arizona defensive back Treydan Stukes is surging up draft boards, and the Cincinnati Bengals should take notice.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:37pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a defensive back making an interception, with sharp planes of orange, black, and blue representing the player's movement and the intensity of the play.A cubist interpretation of a defensive back's game-changing play captures the dynamic energy of the NFL Draft's rising sleeper prospect.Cincinnati Today

Treydan Stukes, a defensive back from the University of Arizona, is generating significant buzz as a potential sleeper pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Despite not being a household name among Bengals fans, prominent voices in the league have highlighted Stukes as a player Cincinnati should strongly consider with their 10th overall selection.

Why it matters

The Bengals have a need in the secondary, and Stukes' impressive combination of size, speed, and coverage skills could make him an ideal fit. As a player who has flown under the radar, Stukes represents excellent value and upside that the Bengals can't afford to overlook in a crucial draft.

The details

Stukes, a 6'1" 190-pound defensive back, has drawn praise for his physical play, ball skills, and versatility to line up at both cornerback and safety. He recorded four interceptions last season, with ESPN's Field Yates noting that 'each of them was an impressive play.' Additionally, Stukes boasts an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) above 9.85 and top-tier coverage grades, putting him in rare company among recent draft prospects.

  • Nearly two months ago, ESPN's Field Yates named Stukes as one of his sleeper picks.
  • Last week on ESPN's Get Up, Peter Schrager highlighted Stukes as a player he loves in this year's draft.

The players

Treydan Stukes

A defensive back from the University of Arizona who is generating significant buzz as a potential sleeper pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Field Yates

An ESPN analyst who named Stukes as one of his sleeper picks nearly two months ago.

Peter Schrager

An ESPN analyst who highlighted Stukes as a player he loves in this year's draft on the Get Up show last week.

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What they’re saying

“This guy is physical, and he makes an impact in a lot of different ways… He had four interceptions, Mel, and let me tell you, these four interceptions, each of them, was an impressive play. The ball skills are really legit here for Treydan Stukes…When the ball is in his general vicinity, he's there. Good luck to opposing quarterbacks, as when he was the primary or the closest coverage player here, Mel, when he was targeted by opposing quarterbacks, they completed just 29.2% of their passes.”

— Field Yates, ESPN Analyst

“This is a fringe first round, maybe early second round guy, but when we talk about modern safeties, we talk about guys who can play corner, play nickel, play deep… 6'1', 190. Runs a true 4.33. Plays the ball wonderfully in the air. His angles, awesome. Especially for a guy who spent most of his time at safety, it's extremely impressive to watch.”

— Ben Solak, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Bengals will have a chance to evaluate Stukes further as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, where they hold the 10th overall pick.

The takeaway

Treydan Stukes has emerged as a potential hidden gem in this year's draft class, with his combination of size, speed, and coverage skills making him an intriguing target for the Bengals. Cincinnati would be wise to closely consider Stukes, as he could provide excellent value and upside at a position of need.