The Cincinnati Bengals are strongly positioned to select a defensive player with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite targeted free-agency additions, the secondary and front seven still have some vulnerabilities, which the front office will be eager to address. 

Cornerback stands out as a high-priority area. The Bengals’ current CB depth chart boasts DJ Turner II and Dax Hill as outside cornerbacks, while Jalen Davis anchors the slot. Depth includes Josh Newton, DJ Ivey, Jalen Kimber and recent addition Ja’Sir Taylor. Still, the group lacks a proven, high-upside boundary option who can lock down elite receivers week to week and provide immediate competition for starting snaps.

This is where LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane could come in. The Bengals have been heavily linked to the 22-year-old and with the draft less than two weeks away, there’s more reason to believe he could be their preferred first round pick. 

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Delane has limited his final three visits to the Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders.

Listed at 6-0 and 190 pounds with 30-inch arms, Delane ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at LSU’s Pro Day. He transferred from Virginia Tech to LSU before the 2025 season and immediately emerged as a shutdown boundary corner. In 11 starts for the Tigers he recorded 45 tackles (28 solo), two interceptions and 11 passes defended.

Opponents targeted him on only 9.8 percent of pass plays; he surrendered just 13 receptions for 147 yards with zero touchdowns allowed and a 31.3 passer rating when thrown at. He broke up 11 passes and forced quarterbacks to a 37.1 percent completion rate in his coverage.

Across four college seasons Delane appeared in 44 games with 40 starts, posting 191 tackles, eight interceptions, 41 passes defended and four forced fumbles. Scouts highlight his elite mirroring in press-man coverage, hip fluidity, physicality at the catch point and disciplined zone awareness. PFF graded him 90.5 overall in 2025 coverage, with an 89.1 man-coverage grade that ranked first among draft-eligible corners.

If the Bengals select Delane at No. 10, he enters camp with a clear path to compete for a starting role. His combination of speed, instincts and press-man skill set would allow him to challenge Turner or Hill immediately on the boundary while providing the depth the current group lacks.

A lockdown presence opposite an established starter would elevate the entire secondary, reduce coverage busts and give the Bengals a long-term building block in a division that will likely feature some of the best passing attacks next season.