In the wake of the Super Bowl, we took a look at a handful of experts and their Cincinnati Bengals mock selections. From Bengals-specific folks to national voices, there was a wide variety of choices.
Now, just under a month out from this year’s NFL Draft, things are tightening up, and a consensus is forming. At this juncture, according to NFLMockDraftDatabase, one player is standing out as the most likely selection, with a few others trailing behind. Let’s take a look at 18.
Bengals Mock Draft Round-Up: Who Do The Experts Like A Month Out From the Draft
Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
At this point, the majority of mock drafts out there have the dynamic Caleb Downs headed to Cincinnati. The two-time unanimous All-American, National Champion, and 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner, Downs is a plug-and-play defensive weapon. Of the top defensive talents in this year’s draft, Downs seems like the most likely at 10 overall due to positional value. Regardless, he would be a slam dunk.
Full Caleb Downs Draft Profile
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell
“The Bengals need help on defense at all levels after fielding the NFL’s third-worst scoring unit (28.9 points allowed per game) in 2025. Downs can play anywhere: strong safety, nickel, or even in sub-packages as a linebacker. He’s the type of versatile chess piece Cincinnati needs.”
PFSN’s Jacob Infante
“When Joe Burrow returned to the Cincinnati Bengals’ starting lineup for the final few games of the year, it showed what this team can be when its franchise QB is healthy. That said, they still have a defense that ranked No. 28 in the NFL in PFSN’s DEFi. Improving that unit should be their top priority this offseason.
As of this writing, Caleb Downs is my top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The fact that he plays safety makes estimating a draft slot for him in a mock draft difficult, but there’s no denying the tools he brings to the table.
He’s a significant, physical, athletic, intelligent safety with good ball skills in coverage and the fluidity to cover a lot of ground as a two-high or single-high safety. He’s the real deal.”
Fantasy Life’s Matthew Freedman
“Based on talent, Caleb Downs could conceivably go in the top five.
He entered college as a five-star recruit and the No. 1 S in the 2023 class, and now he exits it as a two-time unanimous first-team All-American and the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award and Ronnie Lott Trophy.
But he plays S, a position that has been devalued in the NFL Draft over the past decade.
In 2018, future first-team All-Pros Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James went outside of the top 10. In 2022, Kyle Hamilton went No. 14. And the next year, Brian Branch—as the first S off the board—went in Round 2.
Downs is elite, but he could realistically fall out of the top 10.
Here, I have him going No. 10 to the Bengals, who signed FS Bryan Cook in free agency but could use Downs either at SS or slot CB.”
Todd McShay
“Downs falling to pick no. 10 would be a major win for a Bengals defense that’s lacking difference makers on all three levels. People can doubt his athletic profile and ball production, but Downs is special. He’s excellent at noticing formation tendencies, has a sixth sense for locating the ball, and attacks with good angles/leverage. His experience wearing multiple hats under three different coordinators in college (one at Alabama, two at Ohio State) will benefit him in a ‘multiple’ league starved for defensive chess pieces.”
PFF’s Jordan Plocher
“The Bengals select a defensive difference-maker here with the No. 10 pick: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Downs is a smart player who started for three seasons, and his lowest season-long PFF overall grade was an excellent 85.6 mark as a freshman. Downs will be a welcome addition to the back end of the Bengals’ defense, as he can impact the game in multiple ways. He posted an 89.6 PFF coverage grade to go along with an 83.7 PFF run-defense grade in 2025.”
Also, NFLMockDraftDatabase agrees. As does The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, who suggests the Bengals trade back from 10 to 13 and still nab Downs. Dream scenario.
Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Sep 13, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (not pictured) making an incomplete pass during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Lately, Mansoor Delane has been surging as a potential pick for the Bengals. With the contract uncertainty surrounding Dax Hill and DJ Turner, it would fit the Bengals’ mold: Offer the same contract to two players, then draft a replacement. Ideally, this is the pick if, and only if, the top five defensive players are off the board. Delane looks to be a future shutdown corner in the NFL, so it wouldn’t be a bad pick, of course.
Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling
“There are more immediate needs elsewhere on defense for the Bengals, but if Delane is still on the board here, they might not be able to pass him up. His 2025 tape was absolutely dominant for the Bayou Bengals, as he absolutely erased SEC receivers on a weekly basis. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up being a top-5 pick, which would make him an absolute bargain for Cincy if they can get him here.”
NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks
“The talented technician is a plug-and-play starter with the instincts, awareness, and movement skills to take on the premier WR1s in the NFL.”
ESPN’s Field Yates
“Cincinnati has addressed the defense in free agency, but a hole at cornerback opposite of DJ Turner remains unanswered. Delane has strong man-coverage technique and ball skills to go along with good size at 6 feet, 187 pounds. He finished up his college career with a season at LSU after three years at Virginia Tech.
Delane’s season in Baton Rouge solidified his first-round status, as opposing QBs completed only 27.7% of their passes when he was the targeted defender (the third-lowest rate in the FBS). Cincinnati allowed a completion percentage of 65.2% last season (19th in the league).”
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter
“The Bengals grab Delane for his top-10-worthy coverage skills. Dax Hill can stay in the slot, while Delane and DJ Turner hold down the outside. “
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
If Sonny Styles makes it to the Bengals at 10, check the news because the world may be ending. Even though he’s “just” a linebacker, he looks like he could be the best linebacker prospect in recent memory. The Bengals love to go into the draft with one glaring hole. This year, that hole is at linebacker despite using second and fourth-round picks at the position last year. Styles is a day-one impact player, and this would be a dream scenario.
Full Sonny Styles Draft Profile
RotoBaller’s Chris Gregory
“The Bengals drafted two linebackers in last year’s class, and they desperately need more pass-rush help, so Bain makes sense here. However, Bain’s lack of length is a serious red flag, while Styles has zero concerns aside from a lack of positional value. Styles has the coverage skills, instincts, tackling, and blitzing speed to change the face of a bad defense almost on his own.”
AtoZSports’ A.J. Schulte
“The Bengals would probably weep tears of joy on their way to the podium, submitting this pick (assuming they would do it, it’s the Bengals, so we can’t be too sure). Styles is one of the best linebacker prospects of the last decade, and Cincinnati is in desperate need of a pulse at linebacker. He can be the leader and instant impact playmaker they need if they want to have any hopes of turning their defense around.”
Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Picking Jermod McCoy would be a surprise. Right now, there is a lot of discourse surrounding McCoy within Bengals circles, because if you entertain Delane at 10, you must also entertain McCoy. The issue is the fact that when Week 1 rolls around, it will have been 639 days since he suited up. McCoy suffered a torn ACL in the College Football Playoff First Round loss to Ohio State. Then, he sat out the entire 2025 season and, to this point, has not tested…Tennessee’s Pro Day is March 31. If he doesn’t test, it will be a concern.
Full Jermod McCoy Draft Profile
Fantasy Pros’ Matthew Jones
“The Bengals lost Trey Hendrickson but replaced him with Boye Mafe and also added Jonathan Allen to beef up their defensive front.
Cincinnati could consider sliding one of the top tackle prospects inside to guard, or else look at a third cornerback to go with Dax Hill and DJ Turner II, who both played pretty well but are entering contract years.”
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco
“He missed last season with a torn ACL, but word is he’s made a nice recovery. He’s the best cover player in this class when healthy. The Bengals could use another corner.”
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (FL)
Could this actually happen?? Right now, it feels like a 50/50 chance that Rueben Bain Jr. is there at 10. On one hand, he is an incredible player and was one of the most productive players in the nation. On the other hand, he’s got short little arms. Either way, Bain is one of the five best defensive prospects in this year’s class and could be a slam-dunk pick. That defense needs serious pass-rushing juice, and Bain would add just that.
Fox Sports’ Ben Arthur
“If Bain is available here, it’s difficult to imagine the Bengals passing. They signed ex-Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe to a big contract in free agency and also have former first-rounders Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart in the picture, but Cincinnati is still lacking dependable pass-rush production. “
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
After spending a first-round pick on an athletic-upside, zero-production EDGE a year ago, why not run it back with another? Keldric Faulk is currently on the “please do not draft” list for Bengals fans. He’s Shemar Stewart without the 99th percentile athleticism.
NFL Spin Zone’s Lou Scataglia
Bengals trade back to 17, but he doesn’t provide what else the Bengals got in the trade…
“The Cincinnati Bengals snag Keldric Faulk from Auburn at pick 17. Standing at 6-6 and weighing 276 pounds, Faulk is an ideal size for the defensive line, and after losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency, the Bengals try to replace him with Faulk.”
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Perhaps the top offensive lineman in the draft, Francis Mauigoa, is an intriguing prospect. When it comes to the Bengals, Mauigoa would be an odd pick due to the fact that Amarius Mims is only getting better, and Orlando Brown Jr. was just extended.
Full Francis Mauigoa Draft Profile
NFL Mocks’ Ian Harper
“Francis Mauigoa falling to 10 would be a huge win for Cincinnati, and would have the chance to be a “sprint the draft card to the podium” type of selection. The Miami tackle has maintained a Top-10 draft stock, with experts predicting him landing as high as No. 3 with Arizona. This gives the Bengals a franchise OT and a player they can build around on the offensive line.”