Cincinnati Bengals Drafting Caleb Downs May Not Be Affected by Kyle Dugger Signing

NFL Free Agency is in full swing for the 2026 offseason, and the Cincinnati Bengals continue to add more pieces to get back into Super Bowl contention. After missing the playoffs for the last three seasons in a row, general manager Duke Tobin is “all in” on enhancing the roster and spending money to set the team up for as much success as possible. 

All of the big signings happened within the first few days of free agency, or even the legal tampering period before that, but that doesn’t mean impactful players aren’t still being added. Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger has signed with the Bengals on a one-year deal worth $2-3 million. On a defense that was considered one of, if not the worst, in the NFL last season, all depth is greatly encouraged, and Dugger will have a great opportunity to compete for a starting spot with Jordan Battle. 

The conversation around this signing immediately took a turn to the NFL Draft on April 23rd. While Dugger can be a great veteran leader on the field for Cincinnati, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has been frequently linked to the Bengals, who have the No. 10 pick in the first round. 

Being that the Bengals now have three quality safeties, with multiple holes in other positions, the Dugger signing led many to believe that Downs is off the board for Tobin and defensive coordinator Al Golden. However, this may not be the case, as the valuable pick may not come down to a particular position, but rather the best player available. 

After losing 2024 NFL Sack Leader Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, the Bengals lack real difference-makers on the defensive side of the football. Signing former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Boye Mafe and former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook is an attempt to replace that star power, but the Bengals still need more. 

Who Tobin and Golden will have as their best player available by the time No. 10 rolls around is unknown to the public, of course. But, it’s important to note that while Dugger very well could have a real impact both on and off the field for this unit, a one-year contract will not be what sends the franchise over the edge in choosing who their next impact player will be for years to come. This can be shown just two years ago, when former offensive tackle Trent Brown signed with the Bengals on a one-year deal in the same offseason that current offensive tackle Amarius Mims was drafted with the No. 18 pick in the first round.

The argument is there, though, for the Bengals’ need for other positions. Linebacker, specifically, is potentially the thinnest position group on the roster, and Downs’ teammate Sonny Styles may be the perfect player for the future of this defense if he manages to fall to the 10th pick. Either way, Ohio State/Downs fans should not be concerned about the newest signing altering Cincinnati’s decision to draft him on April 23rd.