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.
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
"There aren't many more disruptive and impactful defensive players in the country. His 8.5 sacks this season ranks tied for 23rd in the FBS, so we're not talking about marginal sack production. Furthermore, he ranks third (minimum 100 pass-rush snaps) among P4 edge rushers with a 23.7 pass-rush win rate."
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
"Downs reads plays so well and has the speed and wrap-up technique to wrangle and take down ball carriers. And don't sleep on his ball skills: Downs had two interceptions in each of his three college seasons. He's exactly the type of player the Bengals need on the back end."
"Put positional value aside, Caleb Downs might be one of the best players in this entire class. The discussion around him will mirror the discussion around Kyle Hamilton a few years ago, but teams that passed on Hamilton might want to revisit that discussion right now."
DT Peter Woods, Clemson
"Peter Woods is already excellent as a run-stuffer, but what makes him special is the upside he offers as a pass rusher. His athleticism and relentless motor give him the potential to develop into a true major disruptor in the passing game."
"Woods underperformed in 2025 but earned PFF grades above 80.0 in each of the two seasons prior and has the skill set to shine as a pass rusher and against the run."
"Widely viewed as the premier defensive lineman available, Woods checks every box evaluators look for. He plays with relentless energy, shows strong football intelligence, and fires off the snap with impressive burst. His polished hand usage, highlighted by effective swipes and counter moves, sets him apart from most prospects at his position."
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
"Jermod McCoy sat out the entire 2025 season, but his film resembled that of a top-10 overall pick in 2024"
"When healthy, McCoy has shown true man-to-man cover skills, demonstrating not only elite change of direction and acceleration but ball-hawking instincts and hands."
EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
"Faulk is a monster at 6-6 and 288 pounds, and he displayed an incredible ability to blow past offensive tackles in the SEC over the past two seasons. He posted 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 45 total tackles for the Tigers in his true sophomore season in 2024."
