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
"Bain has the ability to wreck opponent game plans. He brings power, speed and bend, and he had 9.5 sacks in 2025. Defensive coordinator Al Golden could move him around on the D-line to find matchup advantages and turn him loose in the pass rush."
"Bain has the temperament and disposition in the trenches that teams covet. He has violent hands, explosive power and bend at the top of rushes. Bain eats blocks like a defensive lineman but has the quickness of an edge rusher."
"Bain's an accomplished, squatty-bodied grinder who just posted an FBS-best 83 pressures, per PFF. Twenty-four of those pressures -- as well as five sacks -- came in a four-game CFB playoff run that fully showcased his violent game-wrecking ability."
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
"Styles would be a slam dunk to drop in the middle of the defense."
"Styles is a top-five talent they cannot pass up."
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
"Caleb Downs is an instinctive, highly skilled, versatile safety who can be used in a number of different spots and in a number of different ways, and he never takes a snap off. He has a knack for being the guy who makes The Play every time one is needed."
"Cincinnati stays in-state with this pick."
"Getting the best player in the entire draft with the No. 10 overall pick is absolutely unfair, but that's what the Bengals do in this scenario. Downs is an elite playmaker who can line up all over the field and make life miserable for opposing offenses, but positional value could keep him on the board longer than his talent should warrant."
"A high-IQ leader and alpha presence, he excels in both phases. He can erase tight ends, holds up as a run defender in the box and tackles well in space."
"Downs is [a] Swiss Army Knife of a defensive back who can line up in coverage at strong safety, nickel or even in sub packages as a linebacker. Downs is an A-plus blitzer thanks to his instincts, and he's strong against the run with great tackling angles."
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
"Delane was a shutdown technician for LSU in 2025 and is as pro-ready as they get in this class."
OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
"Mauigoa spent the past three seasons at right tackle but could easily kick inside to guard... He is coming off an 85.8 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2025."
CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
"He was a first-team All-American last season, finishing with four interceptions and seven passes defended while also holding opposing QBs to a 53.6 passer rating (PFF)."
"McCoy did not play in 2025 due to a torn ACL but was so good for the Vols as a transfer from Oregon State in 2024 that he's worth the top-10 pick... He can play in man coverage but also bait passers in zone coverage. This pick also assumes that McCoy, who had four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2024, can show NFL teams a promising medical report"
DT Caleb Banks, Florida
"Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks established himself as a first-round prospect at this year's Senior Bowl, and he could continue climbing draft boards during this week's NFL Combine."
Take a look at Daniel Jeremiah's latest top 50 NFL Draft Prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
No. 2 - Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
No. 3 - Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
No. 4 - David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
No. 5 - Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
No. 6 - Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
No. 7 - Makai Lemon, WR, USC
No. 8 - Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
No. 9 - Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
No. 10 - Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
No. 11 - Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State
No. 12 - Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
No. 13 - Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
No. 14 - Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
No. 15 - Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
No. 16 - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
No. 17 - Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
No. 18 - Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
No. 19 - Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
No. 20 - Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
No. 21 - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
No. 22 - CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
No. 23 - Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
No. 24 - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
No. 25 - Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
No. 26 - Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
No. 27 - Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
No. 28 - Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
No. 29 - Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
No. 30 - Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
No. 31 - Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
No. 32 - KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
No. 33 - Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
No. 34 - Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
No. 35 - R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
No. 36 - Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
No. 37 - Christen Miller, DT, Georgia
No. 38 - T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
No. 39 - Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
No. 40 - Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
No. 41 - Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
No. 42 - Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
No. 43 - Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
No. 44 - Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
No. 45 - Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
No. 46 - Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
No. 47 - Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati
No. 48 - Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
No. 49 - Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M
No. 50 - Chris Bell, WR, Louisville
