The Cincinnati Bengals lost one of their top defensive players to free agency on Wednesday. EDGE Trey Hendrickson chose not to return to Cincinnati, opting instead for a rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
The Bengals will need to find a replacement for their elite pass rusher, who has accumulated 81 sacks in his career. For this reason, ESPN’s Field Yates predicts that the Bengals will select Rueben Bain, the standout EDGE player from the Miami Hurricanes, with the 10th pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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This follows an impressive season where Bain recorded 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks, leading Miami to the national championship game.
Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) tackles Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7).© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
(© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
“The Bengals spent in free agency at two essential spots, agreeing to three-year deals with edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook,” Yates wrote. “But that shouldn’t be enough to satisfy the team’s pass-rush need, which was a massive issue in 2025 (the Bengals tied for last in pass rush win rate). Plus, Joseph Ossai has already departed for the Jets, and Trey Hendrickson won’t be back in 2026. Bain is a tenacious and powerful player who overcomes his lack of length with brute force at the point of attack. He had 9.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and 71 pressures in 2025.”
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If the Bengals select Bain in the first round, the move would represent an effort to quickly replace the production lost on the defensive line. Hendrickson was one of the most productive pass rushers in franchise history, and finding a young player capable of eventually filling that role will be critical for Cincinnati’s defense.
Bain’s breakout season at Miami showcased his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. Despite concerns about his arm length compared to some other edge prospects, his strength and relentless playing style helped him consistently generate pressure. Those traits could translate well to the next level, particularly for a team looking to rebuild its pass rush.
For the Bengals, strengthening the defensive front will be essential if they hope to remain competitive in the highly competitive NFL. Adding a young pass rusher like Bain could give the franchise a long-term building block as it looks to reshape its defense.
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Related: Bears Predicted to Sign 81-Sack DE in Free Agency
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.