CINCINNATI (WKRC) – With Senior Bowl evaluations complete and the NFL Scouting Combine approaching in a little more than two weeks, attention is turning to the first Cincinnati Bengals mock draft of 2026.
The projection follows a previous roster-building exercise using tools from The Athletic, which simulated free agency and four rounds of the draft here.
That exercise relied on Dane Brugler’s one round mock draft for first-round selections and Pro Football Focus rankings for later rounds.
This mock draft was conducted using the ProFootball Network simulator. Two separate simulations were run, each producing markedly different results and highlighting the range of potential directions the Bengals could take in the 2026 draft.
Mock Draft 1
First Round: DT Peter Woods, ClemsonSecond Round: CB D’Angelo Ponds, IndianaThird Round: DE Anthony Lucas, USC
Mock Draft 2
First Round: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUSecond Round: DT Lee Hunter, Texas TechThird Round: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
The Skinny: The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to address multiple needs on defense this offseason, with some positions likely filled through free agency and others through the NFL draft.
In both mock draft simulations, defensive ends Ruben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, along with safety Caleb Downs, were no longer available when Cincinnati selected at No. 10 overall. That left the decision between Woods and Delane.
I took the 6-foot-3, 311-pound Woods in mock draft 1, and the NFL.com draft profile overview of him says the following: “Woods is a young interior defender with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame. He plays with good lower-body explosiveness into initial contact, keeping his hands and feet synced to work around blocks when needed. He’s more of an active brawler than double-team eating tree stump. He lacks quick-win talent as a solo rusher, but he’s fully functional as part of a pocket-collapsing collective. His 2024 tape might be a better representation of his upside, but Woods clearly has the potential to become a solid starter in an even front.”
Nate Yarnell #19 of the Pittsburgh Panthers is knocked down as he throws by Peter Woods #11 of the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the game at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Ponds, who has run the 40 in 4.35 seconds, sounds like a carbon copy of former Bengals slot corner Mike Hilton. NFL Draft Buzz says of him: “Make no mistake about the size concerns – they’re real and will need constant monitoring at the professional level. However, his tape against receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka proves he can handle elite athletes without getting physically dominated. This isn’t a finesse player who shies away from contact; he tackles with bad intentions and competes like his life depends on every snap. Day one, he steps in as a quality nickel defender with the ceiling to develop into a shutdown outside corner within two seasons. His combination of elite coverage grades, proven clutch gene, and untapped athletic ceiling makes him a safe bet to outperform his draft position.”
Indiana defensive back D’Angelo Ponds, top, breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Lucas is more traits then production, which is worth a third-round pick. The Draft Nation overview of him says: “Anthony Lucas projects as a high-floor edge defender whose value lies in physicality, versatility, and reliability. His ability to contribute against the run, generate pocket disruption, and play within a disciplined defensive structure makes him an appealing option for NFL teams seeking rotational edge players with starter potential.”
Xavier Williams #26 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is stopped by Anthony Lucas #6 of the Southern California Trojans during a 26-21 Southern California Trojans win at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
I think mock draft 2 turned out better.
Brugler’s overview of the 6-foot, 190-pound Delane: “Delane lacks elite size and length, but he has the best tape among this cornerback class. In both man and zone, he plays sticky in coverage, with the route awareness that will make him an immediate contributor.”
T.J. Moore #1 of the Clemson Tigers attempts to get the ball against Mansoor Delane #4 and Jardin Gilbert #2 of the LSU Tigers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Katie Januck/Getty Images)
Delane’s NFL.com draft profile says he projects as first-year starter who can play either in the slot or on the outside, and the Bengals need a starting slot corner.
NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein’s overview of the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Hunter: “He has the size, strength and length to do battle in the heart of the trenches. Hunter’s girth and length are advantages when aligning over the center as a run defender. He doesn’t have enough quickness or skill as a rusher to see many passing downs, but he can dent the pocket with his power. Hunter projects as an early down space-eater who can make interior offensive linemen work for their gaps.”
Lee Hunter #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders hits Bear Bachmeier #47 of the BYU Cougars during the second half of the game at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
The Bengals must improve defensively against the run, and it starts up front.
Thieneman is projected as a late second-round selection in several mock drafts but remained available in this simulation. The Bengals are expected to pursue a starting-caliber safety in free agency, while also adding competition and depth at the position through the draft.
Zierlein’s overview of the 6-foot, 205-pound Thieneman: “Savvy three-year starter with NFL size, speed and alignment versatility. Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts. He’s an instinctive, rangy safety who can roll down into big nickel or robber positioning. He’s not a big thumper near the line, but he rushes into the action with a relentless pursuit that should allow him to keep stacking high scores in the tackle columns. Thieneman checks important boxes for teams looking to add versatile playmakers in the secondary.”