{"id":721878,"date":"2026-02-01T17:40:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/721878\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T17:40:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T17:40:18","slug":"three-senior-bowl-standouts-the-bengals-could-target-in-2026-nfl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/721878\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Senior Bowl Standouts the Bengals Could Target in 2026 NFL Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6g\">CINCINNATI \u2014 The Bengals have plenty of weaknesses they need to address this offseason. The good news is there were some standouts at the Senior Bowl that could help fill some of those voids. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6j\"> This is the first of many articles we&#8217;ll do on possible prospects the Bengals could target in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here are three players that will be on Cincinnati&#8217;s radar after impressive performances at the Senior Bowl:<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgcwypmrk3bqdbz1e7.jpg\" alt=\"Jacob Rodriguez\" title=\"Jacob Rodriguez\" width=\"1646\" height=\"925\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6v\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Tech&#8217;s Jacob Rodriguez gets up after making a tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington. | Nathan Giese\/Avalanche-Journal \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6z\">It&#8217;s no secret the Bengals need help at linebacker. Rodriguez dominated for the Red Raiders over the past two seasons, finishing with 255 tackles (21.5 for loss) and six sacks. He&#8217;s a playmaker. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"72\">Rodriguez forced seven fumbles and had one interception in 2025. He had four interceptions and forced three fumbles in 2024. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"75\">That playmaking ability translated to the Senior Bowl. Rodriguez forced multiple turnovers in practice and has likely played his way into being a day two selection. Ideally, the Bengals would be able to target him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. <\/p>\n<p>Caleb Banks, DT, Florida<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgcxn0km1dqtnq1ysz.jpg\" alt=\"Caleb Banks\" title=\"Caleb Banks\" width=\"1996\" height=\"1122\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7h\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) causes a fumble as he strips the ball from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle\/Gainesville Sun] | Doug Engle \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7l\">Banks is a darkhorse contender for the Bengals in the first round. Banks flash his potential throughout the week and is a big, talented defensive tackle that the Bengals have been looking for over the past few years. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7o\">Banks is 6-6, 330 pounds and has good strength and quickness. That&#8217;s a tough combination to find in a defensive tackle. He only appeared in three games last season due to a foot injury, so his meetings with NFL teams, including the Bengals will be important. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7r\">If things go well, don&#8217;t be shocked if Banks works his way into consideration at No. 10 overall. <\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The day that was for Caleb Banks. \ud83d\udcc8<\/p>\n<p>A reminder this kid is 330+ pounds\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uRnQH5PI22\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/uRnQH5PI22<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/_RyanFowler_\/status\/2016660983691772042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">January 28, 2026<\/a>Cyrus Allen, WR, Cincinnati<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgcx0ne4t0wm5p7fbg.jpg\" alt=\"Cyrus Allen\" title=\"Cyrus Allen\" width=\"2922\" height=\"1643\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"86\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American wide receiver Cyrus Allen (13) of Cincinnati grabs a touchdown pass during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8a\">The former Bearcats wide receiver had an impressive showing all week long. After an impressive 2025 campaign with Cincinnati, Allen followed it up by putting on a show in Mobile.  <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-17\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8d\">His route running ability caught everyone&#8217;s attention. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8g\">Allen was productive for the Bearcats in 2025. He finished with 13 touchdowns, which tied the UC record and ranked third nationally. He also had 51 catches for 674 yards. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8j\">He didn&#8217;t receive an invite to the combine, but is certainly on the radar of NFL teams following his performance in Mobile. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8m\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bengals\/onsi\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign UP For Our DAILY Newsletter for MORE FREE Coverage of the Cincinnati Bengals Delivered to YOU Directly<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8p\">\u00a0For more on the Bengals,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@BengalsTalk?sub_confirmation=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">subscribe to our YouTube Channel<\/a> and be sure to check us out on your favorite audio platforms, including <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/cincinnati-bengals-talk\/id1789855235\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/tr.ee\/Pr_-yuVTFI\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/1333-cincinnati-bengals-talk-256880212\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">iHeartRadio<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/030daf38-754f-4a5f-9846-3c5689070770\/cincinnati-bengals-talk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8w\">Make sure you\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/bengals\/onsi\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">bookmark BengalsTalk.com\u00a0for the latest Bengals news<\/a>, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more! We&#8217;re a one-stop shop for all things Cincinnati Bengals!<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8z\">&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"92\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@BengalsTalk?sub_confirmation=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Join the\u00a063,000+ Bengals fans that subscribe to us on YouTube.<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"95\">Follow us on Twitter\/X:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BengalsTalkSI\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@BengalsTalkSI<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"98\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/JamesRapienBengals\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Join the 116,000+ Bengals Fans That Have Liked Our Facebook Page<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9b\"><a href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/LockedOnBengals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Subscribe and follow the Locked On Bengals Podcast: the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9e\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@cincinnatibengalstalk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Join the 49,000+ Bengals Fans That Follow Us on TikTok<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CINCINNATI \u2014 The Bengals have plenty of weaknesses they need to address this offseason. The good news is&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":721879,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2053],"tags":[228,227,256,2296,7,6],"class_list":{"0":"post-721878","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cincinnati-bengals","8":"tag-bengals","9":"tag-cincinnati","10":"tag-cincinnati-bengals","11":"tag-cincinnatibengals","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-nfl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115996606555500823","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/721878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=721878"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/721878\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/721879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=721878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=721878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=721878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}