Two surprise late additions in free agency likely won’t change the Cincinnati Bengals’ plans for the NFL Draft, but their board feels a lot more flexible as a result.
With the draft now less than three weeks away, the Bengals have addressed most of their major needs through veteran additions in free agency — signing this past week slot cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor and a third safety in Kyle Dugger. That follows additions of new free safety Bryan Cook, edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and the notable re-signings of Dalton Risner and Joe Flacco.
There are still needs at edge, defensive tackle, linebacker, tight end and offensive tackle/guard, but after drafting two linebackers last year, it’s more likely Cincinnati finds someone still hanging around in free agency. The defensive tackle class isn’t the greatest but will still be a position to target.
Here’s a mock draft for the Bengals, using PFF.com’s simulator, set to draft at about 70 percent positional value and 30 percent needs.
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) goes through workouts with LSU offensive lineman Josh Thompson (56) during their NFL football pro day, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Baton Rouge, La. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Gerald Herbert
FIRST ROUND (NO. 10): MANSOOR DELANE, CB, LSU
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles went third, Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey went at No. 5, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. came off the board at No. 6 and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was snatched at No. 8, so Delane is the next best available on the board and does fill a need.
In this case, the Bengals would likely move Dax Hill inside. They need a strong third cornerback, regardless, especially with DJ Turner and Hill currently set to be free agents after this year if no extension gets done.
Another option available that Cincinnati could consider, in this simulation, would be Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who is rising on some boards but might be a reach at No. 10, or Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling if the Bengals want insurance and/or a succession plan for Orlando Brown Jr. However, the fact Brown just signed a two-year extension probably makes that less likely.
SECOND ROUND (NO. 42): ZION YOUNG, EDGE, MISSOURI
Young fits the mold of what the Bengals would be looking at in an edge rusher at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, and he’s the next player available on PFF’s Big Board in this simulator. He had eight sacks in 2025, along with 32 hurries and 17 hits over 13 games, and PFF graded him at an 85.0 for the season.
The 22-year-old former captain did get arrested in December on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, speeding and failure to properly affix a license plate but was released on summons and permitted to play in the Gator Bowl, with discipline handled internally. That could be a deterrent, but Cincinnati might be willing to take that risk on a second-round guy.
Other options would be Emmanuel Pregnon, a guard from Oregon, or Mason Thomas, an edge from Oklahoma, but Thomas is only 6-foot-2 and size limitations aren’t ideal.
THIRD ROUND (NO. 72): DOMONIQUE ORANGE, DT, IOWA STATE
Orange is the next available player on the big board and ranked sixth among defensive tackles. At 6-foot-4, 325 pounds, he is a massive prospect with elite power potential and strength. He’s a nose tackle that could give the Bengals that big-body run stopper option in a spot where McKinnley Jackson has not been able to overtake.
Other options would be Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt or Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch.
FOURTH ROUND (NO. 110): BILLY SCHRAUTH, OG, NOTRE DAME
The Bengals still have Jalen Rivers as a versatile option, but they only have Risner on a one-year deal, and Schrauth graded well in both pass and run blocking in the seven games he played in 2025. Injuries are a concern, as he’s been limited the past two seasons, including an MCL sprain he tried to gut out before his 2025 season was shut down. However, he didn’t give up a single sack or quarterback hit last year and that’s a stat that will look good to an offense like Cincinnati’s.
SIXTH ROUND (NO. 189): COLE WISNIEWSKI, S, TEXAS TECH
Wisniewski, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, projects as a box safety with good awareness and the ability to match up with tight ends, which can be helpful in the AFC North. He graded well in coverage and run defense, but had nine missed tackles in 2025, which isn’t ideal for a team that struggled in that stat last year.
SIXTH ROUND (NO. 199): TANNER KOZIOL, TE, HOUSTON
Koziol, at 6-goot-7, 250 pounds, could thrive as a big-slot weapon in a creative offense like Cincinnati’s. His large catch radius and contested-catch ability make him a valuable red-zone option. Plus, the Bengals need another Tanner.
SEVENTH ROUND (NO. 221): HAROLD PERKINS JR., LB, LSU
Perkins is a unique athlete without a clear positional fit due to size (6-foot-1) and role limitations. He projects as a situational defender and special teams contributor with designed pass-rush usage, according to PFF, but that’s probably what the Bengals are looking for in these late picks.
Indiana running back Roman Hemby runs with the ball during the school’s NFL football pro day Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Bloomington, Ind.
AJ Mast – FR123854 AP
SEVENTH ROUND (NO. 226): ROMAN HEMBY, RB, INDIANA
Hemby lacks top-end explosiveness as a runner, but his “high football IQ, consistent effort and competitive toughness — combined with useful third-down traits — give him a path” to the Bengals. He was a 1,000-yard rusher with the Hoosiers.