Can Ex Mustangs Safety Crack Bengals Roster?

Former SMU defensive back Isaiah Nwokobia has a puncher’s chance to make the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster, but his clearest path probably won’t come at safety alone.

The Bengals surprisingly left the 2026 NFL Draft without a true nickel corner, selecting only outside corner Tacario Davis.

READ MORE: Ex SMU WR Gets Cowboys Opportunity

That opened the door for an undrafted free agent like Nwokobia, a 6-0, 206-pound defender who brings versatility, ball production and enough physicality to make Cincinnati take a long look.

At SMU, Nwokobia built a résumé that doesn’t scream “camp body.”

He finished his college career with 25 passes defensed and 11 interceptions, showing real instincts in coverage.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein listed him as a priority free agent and noted that Nwokobia “plays with good eye balance between quarterback and routes.”

Zierlein also credited him for playing “downhill into run fits with a steady pace” and staying “wide and tackle-ready in the hole.”

That skill set matters for a Bengals team that may need help replacing Tycen Anderson, who left for the Denver Broncos in free agency.

The catch? Nwokobia isn’t a perfect projection.

Zierlein’s concerns included “below-average range and field speed to maintain man coverage,” plus inconsistent tackling after the catch.

He also underwent left shoulder surgery in December, which adds another layer to his evaluation.

So will Nwokobia make the 53-man roster?

Right now, the smarter projection is that he starts on the practice squad unless he becomes impossible to cut on special teams. But he’s not just filler.

READ MORE: Ex SMU QB Gets Bills Shot

If Cincinnati views him as a hybrid nickel/safety and he proves healthy, Nwokobia could absolutely push for the final defensive back spot.

For an undrafted SMU product, that’s a real opportunity — and maybe a sneaky roster fight worth watching.

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