The 2026 NFL Draft is under a month away, and we should be able to get a better sense of what teams are looking to do. The Cincinnati Bengals were a team that many felt could be a Super Bowl contender this past season, but injuries and an all-time bad defense kept them from that.

Now, adding a top 10 pick to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and company has Bengals fans hoping to return to the playoffs and Super Bowl contention. Here is a seven-round mock draft that can help get the Bengals back to that position this year. 

Trade: Bengals send pick 10 to Tampa Bay Buccaneers for picks 15 and 46. 

TWSN Key Facts

Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Event: 2026 NFL Draft

Round 1, Pick 15: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

David Bailey was on the board at 10 still, and that is who the Buccaneers traded up for. I considered taking him, but adding another second-round pick was too much to pass up on. Most would expect defense here, but Kenyon Sadiq is an elite tight end prospect who can really add to the Bengals offense.

His elite athleticism, along with his ability to block, make him a dangerous, all-around tight end prospect. Bringing him in makes the Bengals less predictable on offense and gives them a true third option in the passing game. Sadiq makes an elite offense even better. 

Round 2, Pick 41: Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M

The Bengals drafted Shemar Stewart in the first round last year, and he hasn’t shown enough to be counted on as a big-time contributor this season. They also added Boye Mafe in free agency, and while he has talent, he hasn’t gotten a ton of sacks in his career.

Howell isn’t going to be an every-down edge to start his career. He doesn’t have the size and isn’t a great run defender. However, on those passing downs, the Bengals can bring him in and let him get after the quarterback. He brings something completely different to the table than any other edge on the Bengals. 

Round 2, Pick 46: Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma

The Bengals’ bringing in guys who can get after the quarterback continues. Halton is a smaller defensive tackle, weighing just 293 pounds, but his ability to get after the quarterback is as good as any other defensive tackle in this class. The Bengals have BJ Hill at defensive tackle and brought in Jonathan Allen this offseason.

However, after that, they don’t have another defensive tackle that can really be trusted on passing downs. Halton can step in with Howell and give the Bengals some pass-rushing juice that they haven’t really had in a while. 

Round 3, Pick 72: Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina

Kilgore would be a phenomenal fit for the Bengals with his ability to play both the slot and safety. Kilgore has gotten reps at slot corner, boundary corner, box safety, and deep safety. He is very athletic and can be used in many ways. He does have a bit of stiffness in his hips, but sticking with tight ends and running backs should be no issue for him.

The Bengals have added multiple safeties this offseason in Bryan Cook and Kyle Duggar, but Kilgore gives them something different. He feels like a player that Al Golden would love to have on his defense. 

Round 4, Pick 110: Jaishawn Barham, Edge/LB, Michigan

The Bengals have said they want someone to take over a lot of the snaps that Demetrius Knight took at the line of scrimmage last year, and there might not be a better player in the draft for that than Barham.

Barham was mostly an off-ball linebacker before the 2025 season, when Michigan used him more as an edge player. He has shown the ability to get after the quarterback and drop back into coverage for short stints when needed. Barham is as good a fit for what the Bengals said they wanted as there is in this draft. 

Round 6, Pick 189: Dontay Corleone, NT, Cincinnati

“The Godfather” is a fan favorite in Cincinnati. Corleone was a likely mid-round pick before the report came out that he was going to have to have surgery this offseason. Now a likely late-round pick or UDFA, he could be a steal for whichever team takes him.

Corleone could get healthy this year and step into TJ Slaton’s role next season. Being a stout run stuffer, Corleone doesn’t bring much in the pass rush department, but the Bengals wouldn’t ask him to. 

Round 6, Pick Eli Heidenreich, FB/WR, Navy

Heidenreich is a unique prospect who played both running back and receiver for the Midshipmen. His ability to make big plays both on the ground and through the air makes him an exciting prospect.

The Bengals need help in the slot, and he could give them that, but he could also be used on passing downs out of the backfield on screens and routes. His ability in the open field also gives him some exciting possibilities as a return man. 

Round 7, Pick 221: Carson Beck, QB, Miami

The Bengals brought Joe Flacco back to be their backup quarterback to Joe Burrow this year, but they could use a young quarterback to mold into their future backup. Beck has a lot of experience and has shown the ability to make plays. If Burrow were to go down, he could likely step into the role of QB2 as a rookie with few issues. 

Round 7, Pick 226: Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma

The Bengals will likely bring in a late-round running back, and Ott fits what they could be looking for. Ott looked like a future early to mid-round pick early in his career, but struggled the last two seasons. He has shown big-play and pass-catching ability. The Bengals can take him late and hope to get him back to his early career form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do the Bengals take in this seven-round mock draft?

The Bengals come away with Kenyon Sadiq, Cashius Howell, Gracen Halton, Jalon Kilgore, Jaishawn Barham, Dontay Corleone, Eli Heidenreich, Carson Beck, and Jaydn Ott in this mock.

Do the Bengals trade down in this mock draft?

Yes. Cincinnati moves off Pick No. 10 and trades down with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, receiving Picks No. 15 and No. 46. That extra second-round pick helps them add more depth to a roster that still has several needs.

Why does Kenyon Sadiq make sense for the Bengals in Round 1?

Sadiq gives Cincinnati an elite athletic tight end who can both block and impact the passing game. In this mock, he is viewed as a true third option who can make an already explosive Bengals offense even harder to defend.

What positions do the Bengals focus on most in this mock?

Defense gets a major emphasis after Round 1. The Bengals add help at edge rusher, defensive tackle, safety, and hybrid linebacker/edge with Cashius Howell, Gracen Halton, Jalon Kilgore, and Jaishawn Barham.

More Cincinnati Bengals Content From TWSN:

Can the Cincinnati Bengals Extend Both Dax Hill and DJ Turner?

2026 Cincinnati Bengals 7-Round Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency

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