Cincy Jungle
The Cincinnati Bengals are currently sitting at 4-9 on the season. With the playoffs likely out of reach, let’s take a look at some of the top positions of need and players at each one for the 2026 NFL Draft. As always, free agency can change what this list ultimately looks like.
The Bengals have been unable to generate a consistent pass rush from the interior defensive line for several seasons. There were reports that the Bengals would have drafted Walter Nolen in the 2025 draft, had he not been selected one spot prior to the Arizona Cardinals. If the Bengals are looking to draft a potential impact pass rusher, there are not many options near the top of the draft this year. The defensive tackle group is heavy with nose tackle/run-defending prospects.
One player they could decide to draft is Peter Woods from Clemson. While Woods’ stats do not jump off the page, he is a high-level prospect. He has really quick feet with active hands. He had a 16.8% pass rush win rate on true pass sets during the 2025 season. In comparison, BJ Hill has a 5.1% win rate on true pass sets this season. Kris Jenkins has a 6.6% win rate, TJ Slaton is at 7.4%, and McKinnley Jackson is at 11.1%, in a limited sample size.
Another prospect that could intrigue the Bengals is Caleb Banks from Florida. Banks is listed at 6’6” and 334 pounds. He moves very well for a player of that size. Injuries limited him to just a few games played in 2025. When healthy, he is a difference maker.
Geno Stone is scheduled to be a free agent after this season. His sixteen missed tackles led the team in 2025. The Bengals should be looking to draft a safety within the first two to three rounds during the draft.
Caleb Downs is the name that everyone is excited about, and rightfully so. Downs is a true culture changer for a defense. He is a reliable tackler, solid in coverage, and a coach on the field. Safety is a position that doesn’t always go in the top 15 selections; that is where Downs will almost certainly be selected. His coverage grade on the season is an incredible 89.3, while he has an 82.5 as a run defender.
Another safety the Bengals could be interested in is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren from Toledo. McNeil-Warren is listed at 6’3” and 209 pounds. He is a fluid and rangy athlete on the back end of the defense. He has five career interceptions, nine career fumbles, and over two hundred tackles.
The Bengals drafted Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter within the first four rounds in 2025. Neither player has looked like a surefire starter moving forward at the position. While they can still contribute and improve, the Bengals cannot go into next season with those players penciled in the starting lineup. While the Bengals should look at free agency...
