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A new mock draft has the Bengals trading up in the draft
The Cincinnati Bengals have addressed some of their defensive needs this offseason. The team signed former Seattle Seahawks edge defender Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract to replace All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the division rival Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati also added hometown safety Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.2 million contract, as he will presumably serve as Geno Stone’s replacement, who signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency.
And yet, despite the additions made by Cincinnati, most Bengals fans would probably agree that the team still lacks talent on defense. Despite their issues at the linebacker position, the Bengals have not made any additions at that position. Linebacker has been a spot where Cincinnati has struggled since the recently retired Logan Wilson began showing signs of decline.
For that reason, a new mock draft has predicted the Bengals making an aggressive move during the 2026 NFL Draft that would dramatically improve the linebacker position for the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals Projected to Trade Up in NFL Draft
Billy Riccette of USA Today’s Bengals Wire projected Cincinnati trading up with the New York Giants to land the No. 5 selection in this year’s draft, which the Bengals would then use to draft Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
Riccette wrote:
“The Bengals trade their third-round pick this year (No. 72 overall) and a 2027 third-round pick to the New York Giants to get the linebacker they so desperately need. After watching both of their rookie linebackers struggle in 2025, the Bengals need a major boost in the middle of the defense. Styles’ athleticism would be a major welcome addition to the Bengals’ defense. Styles is a safety in a linebacker’s body. Styles might be the best fit for the Bengals in this class and the Bengals should feel more than comfortable trading two thirds, especially when they are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick next year for Trey Hendrickson.”
Trading away two third-round picks to ensure landing one of the premium players in this year’s draft should be a no-brainer decision for the Bengals.
Sonny Styles Prospect Profile
Each NFL Draft contains some blue-chip prospects that are capable of altering the direction of franchises. Styles may be one of those prospects, as he is ranked as the third-best player in this year’s class by NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.
Regarding Styles, Jeremiah wrote:
“Styles is a tall, long and rangy linebacker prospect. He made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker during his college career and put on an epic display at the NFL Scouting Combine. 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. He can carry slot receivers down the seam and smoothly mirrors tight ends all over the field. He’s an explosive blitzer and will run over running backs who try to block him in pass pro. Styles’ performance in the Big Ten title game against Indiana answered any questions about his game, as he was the best defender on the field in that matchup. He reminds me of Fred Warner as a player. It’s hard to find prospects with Styles’ combination of speed, athleticism and instincts.”
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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