The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in April, and the Bengals will have the 10th pick in the first round. We've rounded up the latest projections from media outlets across the league to give you a look at who could be joining the Bengals this year.
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
"Downs is one of the three best players in this year's class... Downs allowed only 3.6 yards per passing attempt into his coverage this season (11th lowest in the FBS)."
"Downs is not only assignment-sure in coverage but also rarely misses tackles."
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
"Bain Jr. is an explosive, violent edge rusher with rare power and bend, capable of turning the corner from wide alignments and overwhelming tackles with speed-to-power. He wins with a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves -- from bull rushes to inside counters -- and plays with exceptional contact balance and hand usage to shed blocks both as a rusher and run defender. Relentlessly disruptive and highly explosive off the snap, Bain consistently collapses pockets, sets a firm edge and makes impact plays from whistle to whistle."
"Bain is a stout run defender with the relentless power as a pass rusher to kick down the door to the pocket."
EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech
"The Bengals selected one of the best run-defending edge rushers in the first round of last year's draft in Shemar Stewart and selected the best pass-rusher in this year's class with Bailey here. He leads all FBS defenders in PFF grade (93.1), pass-rush grade (93.9), pressures (81) and sacks (15)."
"Bailey [is] a flamethrower off the edge who is constantly attacking and moving toward the quarterback. Pressures and sacks are why Bailey was brought to Lubbock and why NFL teams will be interested in him."
DT Peter Woods, Clemson
"Clemson's Peter Woods has the skill set needed to potentially develop into a dominant pass-rushing 3-tech."
DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
"The Ohio State interior defender earned a dominant 92.1 PFF run-defense grade and posted an elite 31.2% run-stop rate, giving the Bengals a true anchor in the middle of their defensive line. "
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
"The Volunteers star missed all of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL, but his reaction speed, ball skills and instincts are all apparent on his 2024 tape."
