The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway this week. Arguably the largest event in the pre-draft process, coaches, scouts and executives from all 32 teams flock to Indianapolis get an in-depth look at more than 300 college prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Zac Taylor, Duke Tobin and the rest of the Bengals staff will see potential draft picks up close and even sit down with a number of them for interviews. Cincinnati holds the 10th overall pick in this year's draft.

Here are a few names for Bengals fans to keep an eye on this week, all of whom have been projected to Cincinnati by the media in recent mock drafts.

The players are listed in alphabetical order. Included are their positions in Big Board or positional rankings and brief analysis from Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN, Dan Brugler of The Athletic and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network.

EDGE Reuben Bain Jr., Miami

ESPN Rank: 9

"Bain is powerful and has really strong hands. He routinely gets the best of some very good offensive tackles, often with his dominant rip move, and he knows every trick in the book in getting home to the QB. Bain also shows speed and bend off the edge, and he takes good angles. Plus, he can hold the edge against the run and get off blocks to chase down ball carriers. His tape is just filled with disruption." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 9

"Carrying a uniquely thick body type with short arms and average get-off, Bain isn't the picture-perfect embodiment of what NFL teams covet in a pass rusher. But he consistently deconstructs blocks with power and is a tough player to slow down. He uses anvil-weighted hands to jar blocks off balance or command the edge in the run game." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 6

"Bain is a thick, square edge rusher with short arms. His game tape is littered with disruption, destruction and dominance. As a pass rusher, he lacks an elite get-off, but he wins with leverage, power and polish. He launches out of his four-point stance, uproots offensive tackles and forces open one of their shoulders to get to the quarterback. He has a nasty chop/rip move, violent hump move and nifty Euro step. Against the run, he ragdolls tight ends and his motor to chase is unrelenting." - Jeremiah

EDGE David Bailey, Texas Tech

ESPN Rank: 4

"A transfer from Stanford, Bailey gets after the quarterback. He had 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinal, and he matched that total in 2025 alone after notably becoming more of a finisher. His 20.2% pressure rate was the best in the nation in 2025 -- despite actually being lower than it was in 2024 (22.2%) and 2023 (22.1%)." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 6

"A linear-based pass rusher, Bailey fires off the ball like a sprinter with stride length and hell-raising intentions to quickly build forceful momentum to the quarterback. He is at his best with a runway and must continue to polish his secondary moves. He is a violent strike-through tackler and showed clear improvements as a run defender in 2025, although his take-on skills and instincts need more work." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 4

"Bailey is an ultra-explosive edge rusher with outstanding production. He operated out of both a two-point and four-point stance in Texas Tech's scheme. His game is all about get-off and winning early in the down. He eats ground in a hurry and uses a dip/rip move before flattening quickly to the passer. He complements his speed rush with a sudden inside spin move." - Jeremiah

CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

ESPN Rank: 16

"I am very impressed with the instincts and savviness Delane shows in coverage. He is a true technician and demonstrated excellent ball skills, with 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions over his four-year career. He excels in both man and zone coverage, and his 3.3 yards allowed per attempt on throws in his direction was fourth in the nation in 2025." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 7

"Though he doesn't have elite length or athletic upside, Delane is fluid to open and has enough speed to stay in phase against either vertical or in-breaking routes. He is instinctive in coverage and understands down and distance, which allows him to settle and close without any wasted or panicked movements — he allowed zero touchdowns and committed zero penalties in 2025." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 8

"Delane is one of the most consistent players in this draft class. He makes everything look easy in coverage as a corner who is extremely loose and fluid in his change of direction. He is adept at press coverage, possessing the ability to re-route and mirror all over the field. In zone, he plays with instincts and awareness. He goes long stretches without getting challenged because of his tight coverage. When he is attacked, he can locate and make plays on the ball." - Jeremiah

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

ESPN Rank: 6

"Downs -- the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs -- is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it's obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban's system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring. He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 4

"A human missile, Downs jumps off the tape because of his fast, competitive play style. Despite his average size, he is an elite tackler who fills with impressive body control and strength at contact. He showed the same high-level reaction skills in coverage. Downs sees the field like a chess board. He is one of the better safeties I have ever evaluated." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 10

"Downs is a versatile safety prospect with outstanding instincts and intangibles. He moved around in Ohio State's scheme but primarily lined up underneath as a nickel, strong safety or nickel 'backer. In the passing game, he is a smooth mover and utilizes his eyes/instincts to close and limit windows. He's physical and has enough speed to mirror tight ends in man coverage." - Jeremiah

EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn

ESPN Rank: 20

"If you could draw up the perfect NFL 4-3 defensive end, it would be Faulk. He's what I call an "LTPer" -- someone who looks the part. He can win with outside and inside moves, and he moves blockers with his super powerful hands. I see good overall instincts on tape too. Faulk makes his presence felt against the run and the pass, and he is scheme versatile." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 15

"At 6 feet 6 inches, 270 pounds with long arms, Faulk is an impressive athlete with experience lining up across the defensive line. There isn't a ton of deception in his rush attack, so he will need development time to realize his potential — there are more "almost plays" than "impact plays" on his tape. But you absolutely bet on a 20-year-old talent with his traits. He has major upside. How early he's selected will depend on each team's appetite for risk." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 27

"Faulk is a versatile defensive lineman with an ideal frame and length. He aligned up and down the front in Auburn's scheme. He lacks ideal twitch and explosion, but he's a very loose, fluid mover. As a pass rusher, he doesn't have an elite get-off but still finds ways to win with a swooping arm-over or steady pocket push. He doesn't always have a plan, which impacts his production."

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

ESPN Rank: 10

"Here's a true mauler. Mauigoa is fun to watch for the way he just destroys pass rushers at the point of attack. He had more than 2,700 snaps at right tackle and has the pass protection skill to stick there, but he could absolutely slide inside and become a Pro Bowl-caliber guard at the next level. Mauigoa allowed two sacks and blew only 13 run blocks since the start of the 2024 season." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 11

"The defensive line received most of the attention during Miami's run to the title game, but the offensive line was equally as impactful — and Mauigoa was the group's most consistent blocker. He doesn't have elite length or foot quickness, but he plays with a relaxed feel in space to mirror and put rushers in a vise.Whether he plays tackle or guard, Mauigoa will start in the league for a long time." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 13

"Mauigoa is a big, powerful right tackle prospect. He has a massive lower body and plays with a firm base in pass protection. He has average foot quicks out of his stance, but he can bend his knees and anchor against power rushers. He's a fluid mover and is patient with his punch. Once he latches on, he has strong hands to steer and control." - Jeremiah

CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

ESPN Rank: 13

"McCoy didn't play in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in January, but he still has the chance to be the first cornerback off the board in April. He began his college career at Oregon State, picking off two passes there in 2023. McCoy's ball-hawking traits really emerged once transferring to Tennessee, as he picked off four passes and broke up nine in 2024. His on-the-ball production will get Day 1 interest." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 16

"The bad news is McCoy doesn't have any 2025 tape. The good news is McCoy's 2024 tape is really, really good. He is patient, agile and balanced in press man, with the reactive athleticism to gear up or down quickly. He shows terrific awareness in zone coverage to feel and bait routes around him while also being able to drive on the action in front of him. NFL teams can't wait to see him (and his medicals) at the combine." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 14

"McCoy had an outstanding 2024 season but missed the entire '25 campaign due to an ACL tear. He is at his best in press coverage, effectively landing his one-hand jam while maintaining balance to stay on the hip and mirror. He is always under control with his movement. In zone coverage, he will set traps, knowing he can sink back and recover to make plays on the ball. His ability to elevate and play the ball is impressive." - Jeremiah

DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State

ESPN Rank: 17

"The Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year had a huge breakout season. Consider that he had zero starts, zero sacks and just 24 tackles over the previous two seasons. McDonald crushed all those numbers over 14 starts in 2025. He's a force on the interior, with incredible strength and quickness for a player at his size. And McDonald is active and sniffs out the football to make plays." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 26

"With his power, McDonald is at his best as a run-stuffer. He resets the line of scrimmage with his initial burst and power, then attacks blocks from a leveraged position. He will require time to develop more of a pass-rush identity, but his dominant run-game qualities will make him immediately useful for an NFL team." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 33

"McDonald has excellent size and strength for the DT position. He's at his best against the run. He can press out blocks and disengage with violent torque. He's very firm and stout, collecting tackles from guard to guard. He doesn't offer much impact as a lateral chase player. As a pass rusher, he flashes some pocket push but lacks twitch and polish to consistently win. He's more of a steady force than a dynamic playmaker." -Jeremiah

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

ESPN Rank: 7

"You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB. Watch for him to dominate at the combine and in predraft testing. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step last season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia." - Kiper Jr.

The Athletic Rank: 5

"A 6-foot-4, 240-pound linebacker with 4.5-second 40-yard-dash speed who just turned 21? Styles, who initially enrolled at Ohio State as a safety, checks all the boxes with his size and athletic traits. He blossomed on the field in 2025. He isn't a proven playmaker in coverage (yet), which is the only reason he isn't ranked higher. But he is the rare off-ball linebacker worth a top-10 pick." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 5

"Styles is a tall, long and rangy linebacker prospect. He made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker during his college career. In the run game, he's quick to key, read and fill to make tackles. He uses his length to press off blocks and has outstanding lateral range to pick up production on the perimeter. He's a firm, reliable tackler with stopping power on contact. Styles is outstanding in coverage." - Jeremiah

DT Peter Woods, Clemson

ESPN Rank: No. 3 Defensive Tackle

No analysis provided

The Athletic Rank: 33

"Woods moves with big-man twitch and the foot quickness to elude blocks in tight quarters. However, for a player with his explosive traits, he doesn't have many quick wins on his tape and needs to learn how to diversify his rush approach. His motor and scheme flexibility are floor-raising qualities." - Brugler

NFL Network Rank: 34

"Woods is a thick, square DT prospect with fabulous quickness and violent hands. As a run defender, he can hold the point of attack when blockers are lined up over his nose. He uses his leverage and lower-body strength to absorb blocks and hold his ground. He has lateral range to make plays outside the tackle box, and I applaud his effort to chase downfield." - Jeremiah