The Cincinnati Bengals have now missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, intensifying pressure on the front office to build a competitive roster around franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. They need to especially focus on the defense, as they finished 30th in football with 28.9 points allowed per game in 2025, which was one of the main reasons they finished 6-11.

Hitting their picks in the NFL Draft would go a long way toward becoming a threat in the AFC again. Here's a three-round simulated mock draft using PFF's Mock Draft simulator:

The Bengals land Styles at No. 10, who was the second linebacker off the board in this simulation behind his Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese (No. 5, New York Giants). The 2025 first-team All-American had 83 tackles across 14 games for the Buckeyes this season after notching 100 in their 2024 championship season. He totaled 245 tackles, nine passes defended, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, and one pick over four seasons. 

Styles is an ideal quarterback spy, per ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.

"You can tell Styles is a former safety; he has outstanding speed, and his burst allows him to spy the QB," he wrote. "Watch for him to dominate at the combine and in predraft testing. Styles is also a dependable tackler and closes in a flash. He really took the next step this season, even as he adapted to a new system under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia."

Styles may not help the Bengals' subpar pass rush, which is a top need given that they were tied for eight-lowest in team sacks (35). However, they need help at all three levels of the defense, and the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder has the tools to develop into an All-Pro linebacker.

Haulcy is another four-year college player, as he spent his freshman campaign at New Mexico before playing with Houston the next two seasons and LSU in 2025. The 2025 first-team All-American recorded 89 tackles, four passes defended, three interceptions, and one forced fumble over 12 games for the Tigers.

Kiper ranked Haulcy as the eighth-best safety in the draft. The 6-foot, 222-pounder has several skills that can translate to the NFL, per Vikings Wire's Andrew Harbaugh:

Mesidor, who earned first-team All-ACC honors this seaosn, has notched 36 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles over 14 games for the Hurricanes so far. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder could help Cincinnati in one of its biggest areas of need, especially if star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson leaves in free agency.