I know defensive line is doing to be a huge need in 2026 but if there is a chance to get Caleb Downs outside of the top 5 in the draft, the Bengals have to take him. This guy does it all well and is a team leader on top of it. Effectively disappears a huge part of the field in coverage and can play in the box too. Great open field tackler. Could probably even rush the passer if Ohio State or Alabama had tried to scheme him that way. This is our Ja’Marr Chase building block on the defensive side of the ball.
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He’s gone outside the top 10
No way he falls to 11.
I doubt he falls out of the top 5, much less the top 10. But given how bad the defense is, we’ll be drafting higher than 11.
He would be the perfect player for us.
Bengals could be picking as high as 5-6 given how bad defense is.
this has been my dream. Downs is HIM.
Ya he’s not going outside 10
might rather have arvell reese 😬
Also you put way to much faith In this FO to actually draft the right player…
If Downs is available, he has to be the pick. There is no such thing as a sure-fire player, but he’s probably the best defensive player on the board.
The absolute worst thing we can do is draft another low production, high trait defensive lineman that “could be” exceptional.
Wish we could have him and his brother
He’s had a productive college career, not our type of player.
May work in our favor that most of the teams likely to have a high pick next year are gonna be looking at offense first?
He deserves better.
PS we’re gonna have a better pic than that
Downs is a top 5 pick. But yes if he’s on the board… take him.
He’s a Top 6 pick. We better be REALLY bad down the stretch.
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With the 12th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select a large man from a dogshit program with minimal production.
One player, a rookie, isn’t fixing this secondary.
Would much rather have a defensive line pick here. Safety is a very hit need, but defensive line is better value where we will likely be picking
Shit… we’re picking waaaay earlier than 11
Get this ai slop bullshit out of here fuck u
i wouldn’t be mad but the front needs more help than the back. if the line got more pressure and made more tackles, filled more gaps the second and third levels wouldn’t need to do so much
Kewl, tell us more. I love seeing meatballs tell us their “expert” opinions.
downs or arvelle Reese would be an amazing pick
Just sayin yall, people mocked Starks to go top 5 as well. And he fell to the ravens. NFL teams do not draft safety’s high. I think the last top 10 S pick was…. 2011 by KC? I think if the bengals are atleast pick 8+, downs should be there if we go off history.
Dreams are fun
Nah, they will use the pick on a bag of chips… because they’re too cheap to go to a store and buy them. 🙄
Not a need. We got Stone already.
I don’t watch much college football. What position is he and how good? Any comparisons?
I don’t wish either of the Ohio pro teams on him.
Wow, we already in “overhyping every Buckeye” season?
Lmao our FO would pick Igbinosin over him even if he was still available
He’ll be gone by the 5th pick
More important (or as important) for our D is investment in some culture settings veterans.
Get Jenkins, Murphy, Stewart, CTB, Hill, Stone, Slayton all out the damn door. Gut the room of the cancer, re-sign Hendrickson on a proper deal and get some experienced veterans to help set and establish the culture. As bad as he’s been keeping Knight, keep Turner and rebuild the rest of the room. Yeah it’s an insane loss of high draft picks but they’re all little men who can’t/won’t lead. We need to rebuild that room from the ground up with a strong veteran presence to breed accountability into the new rookies.