ClutchPoints
The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL Draft caught between the frustration of a lost season and the urgency of maximizing a championship window. A year derailed by injuries and inconsistency has forced Cincinnati to confront uncomfortable truths about its depth and long-term protection plan for its franchise quarterback. This draft isn’t about blowing things up or chasing splashy headlines. It’s about recalibrating with purpose. The Bengals need impact players who fit their identity and quietly position them to reassert themselves in a brutal AFC. Sometimes, the most important drafts aren’t the loudest ones but the ones that get the foundation right.
The Bengals’ 2025 NFL season was one of quiet frustration and missed opportunity. They had a 6-11 record and a third-place finish in the AFC North. From the opening weeks, it was clear the year would hinge on the health of Joe Burrow. His early-season injury robbed the franchise of its offensive engine and emotional center. Without Burrow, Cincinnati struggled to generate rhythm. They cycled through backup quarterbacks and rarely sustained momentum from one week to the next. There were flashes but nothing resembling continuity. By midseason, the Bengals were no longer chasing playoff relevance. Instead, they pivoted toward development, evaluation, and survival. It wasn’t a total teardown, but it was unmistakably a holding pattern. Protect the core, get healthy, and position the roster for a meaningful rebound in 2026.
With Burrow expected back under center, the Bengals’ 2026 draft priorities are less about reinvention and more about reinforcement. Defensively, the middle of the field remains a pressing concern. Linebacker play lacked consistency in both run fits and coverage responsibilities. It left the defense vulnerable on early downs and in high-leverage moments. Adding athleticism and range at linebacker is essential.
Up front, pairing another impact presence alongside BJ Hill would stabilize the defensive interior and reduce the stress on the edge rushers. On the back end, safety play was uneven. The Bengals need smarter, more instinctive defenders who can generate turnovers and communicate coverage adjustments. Offensively, the offensive line remains a familiar talking point. Protecting Burrow is non-negotiable. Sure, Cincinnati has invested here before. Still, depth and versatility are lacking. The draft must provide contributors who can step in quickly and raise the baseline across the roster.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Bengals’ 3-round mock draft based on the PFF 2026 NFL mock draft simulator.
At No. 10 overall, Cincinnati lands one of the most intriguing defensive chess pieces in the class with Sonny Styles. A converted defensive back, Styles brings a rare blend of size, length, and coverage fluidity to the linebacker position. His background shows up immediately when he drops into zone or matches up with tight ends and backs. Those are areas where the Bengals have been exploited in recent seasons.
Styles has also made tangible strides as a run defender. He can use his...
