The Cincinnati Bengals need help on defense, and they'll probably use the 2026 NFL Draft to address it. This draft class is full of talent on that side of the ball, and several of those players will partake in the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. 

The NFL released a list of 319 prospects on Tuesday that will participate in the Combine, which will take place in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 to March 2, per the Bengals' official website.

Some of the highest-profile players on the list are Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Miami quarterback Carson Beck, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. However, the defensive players are likely more important to scout for Cincinnati, as it finished 30th in football with 28.9 points allowed per game this past season.

Here are some defensive players on the Combine list that the Bengals could select at No. 10 overall.

Downs is one of the most decorated safeties in the country, as he won the Lott Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award in 2025 and is a two-time unanimous All-American. The Lott Trophy is given to defensive college football players for their personal character and athleticism, while the Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back in college football.

Downs totaled 256 career tackles and six interceptions over three seasons and helped Ohio State win the 2024 CFP. The 6-foot, 205-pounder would instantly upgrade Cincinnati's secondary.

Woods earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2025 after totaling 30 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The 20-year-old is "capable" in both one and two-gap schemes and is "fully functional as part of a pocket-collapsing collective," per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.

Bain would be a crucial addition in the short-term if star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson walks in free agency. The 21-year-old notched 9.5 sacks and 54 tackles over 15 games for the Hurricanes this past season, including eight tackles and a sack in the 27-21 National Championship loss to No. 1 Indiana.

Bain was a consensus All-American in 2025 as well as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Ted Hendricks Award-winner, which is given to college football's top defensive end.

Bailey was another dominant pass-rusher this past season, as he tallied 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 52 tackles for the Red Raiders. The senior transfer earned unanimous All-American, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and first-team All-Big 12 honors.