The Cincinnati Bengals were without quarterback Joe Burrow for nine games in 2025, but they proved that they primarily need defensive help. They finished 30th in football with 28.9 points allowed per game and tied for 22nd with 2.1 sacks per game, two of the main reasons why they finished 6-11.

To make matters worse, star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is hitting free agency this offseason. The Bengals could franchise tag or re-sign the five-time All-Pro, but going the younger route may be more prudent long-term.

The 2026 draft class has several edge rushers who could grow into viable Hendrickson replacements. Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. and Texas Tech's David Bailey are two examples of ideal options should they be available to Cincinnati at No. 10 overall this April.

Hendrickson had four sacks across just seven games in an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, but notched 17.5 in both 2023 and 2024 for the Bengals. The 31-year-old has a two-year, $50.8 million market value, per Spotrac.

Meanwhile, Bain recorded 9.5 sacks and 54 tackles for the Hurricanes this past season. The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder won the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given to the top defensive end in college football. He has a "high floor as an NFL starter," per NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. 

Additionally, Bailey amassed 14.5 sacks and 52 tackles for the Red Raiders this past season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder was a unanimous All-American as well as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2025. His "explosiveness and athletic talent is truly unique" and he profiles as a rush linebacker at the next level, per NFL.com's Nik Bonitto.

Neither Bain nor Bailey would necessarily be as good as Hendrickson right away, but they have the ceiling to get there eventually.

Cincinnati needs a defensive makeover from top to bottom, but getting to the quarterback is the top priority. Winning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will help the organization make the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Between the draft, free agency, and trades, there are multiple ways to improve this area of the team. What's clear is that the Bengals won't get far until they get more sacks, as they also finished 24th with 2.1 sacks per game in 2024. They missed the playoffs at 9-8 that year despite Burrow leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns, and they ranked below average in scoring defense.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins on April 23.