The Cincinnati Bengals hold eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, beginning with the No. 10 overall pick and continuing at Nos. 41, 72, 110, 189, 199, 221 and 226. With the board stocked at cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker, safety and interior defensive line, the franchise can address multiple aspects of the defense across all seven rounds.

Cincinnati’s current defensive roster features some veterans and a young core, but also has some specific gaps that the eight draft selections must fill. DE Boye Mafe anchors the edge alongside developing pieces Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, while DT Jonathan Allen provides veteran presence at defensive tackle. The cornerback group currently has Dax Hill and DJ Turner II as projected starters, but lacks a reliable third boundary option or high-upside competitor. 

As a result, the biggest needs for the Bengals include boundary cornerback to challenge the starters and provide long-term insurance, rotational edge help for sub-packages, athletic off-ball linebacker for coverage versatility, and interior defensive line depth to rotate with Allen.

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fits as the top priority for the Bengals at No. 10. His 2025 film shows elite mirroring in press-man, hip fluidity and physicality at the catch point, allowing just 13 receptions for 147 yards with zero touchdowns in 11 starts. He forced a 37.1 percent completion rate and earned a 90.5 PFF coverage grade. Delane would compete immediately opposite Turner II while hedging against future extension decisions on Hill.

In ESPN’s final mock draft, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Bengals taking Delane at No. 10, citing his technical soundness and ability to shorten drives as an instant boundary upgrade.

If Delane is unavailable, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. provides the next-best difference-maker. Bain’s 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2025, combined with three-down versatility, would create immediate disruption alongside Mafe.

Cincinnati could use its No. 41 pick to target linebacker athleticism. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, a recent Bengals visitor, brings sideline-to-sideline range at 6-5, 244 pounds with coverage skills and seven sacks over two seasons. He upgrades weakside linebacker and erases mismatches against tight ends.

Round 3 at No. 72 could be used to address interior depth. Navy defensive tackle Landon Robinson, fresh off his final Bengals visit, generated 34 pressures and 6.5 sacks as AAC Defensive Player of the Year. His explosive first step and leverage could make him an ideal rotational piece behind Allen.

At No. 110, Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor could bring inside-out versatility and a relentless motor for sub-packages. Later picks at 189, 199, 221 and 226 can then be used to target safety depth or additional linebacker help, such as a developmental coverage specialist to bolster the back end.

Selecting Delane or Bain early, followed by Styles and Robinson, would create measurable improvement across all three levels for 2026 and beyond.