The Bengals' defense was one of the worst in the league this season, and this projected first-round pick could be the boost they need moving forward.
With the 2025 NFL season over for the Cincinnati Bengals, the focus for the next few months will undoubtedly be shifted towards the NFL Draft. After finishing 6-11, Cincinnati holds the 10th pick in the first round of a draft that is vital for a team that has now missed the playoffs for three consecutive years.
It’s no secret that the Bengals’ defense was statistically among the worst in football this season from top to bottom. While there were scarce diamonds in the rough, it’s going to take an entirely new approach to turn this defense around for a championship-aspiring team.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle T.J. Slaton Jr.
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The Bengals posted a 2026 Mock Draft Roundup 1.0 on their team website, which included a College Football Playoff Star amongst the projected options for their first-round pick.
Of the possible players projected to be taken No. 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Texas Tech star edge rusher David Bailey rises above the rest. With defense being the priority for improvement this offseason, Bailey provides significant pass-rushing help and aggression for a trending Bengals defensive line.
Why Do the Bengals Need Bailey?
Superstar edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is likely on his way out this offseason. After a trade request, contract holdout, and a franchise tag over the last two years, it seems that Hendrickson’s time in Cincinnati has come to a close. He is widely expected to test free agency and receive a substantial deal that would compare him to his peers, including Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, T.J. Watt, and Myles Garrett, who all make $40 million or more annually.
Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson
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The 2024 NFL sack leader’s expected departure plays an immense role in drafting Bailey. Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons in 2023 and 2024, and losing him would almost eliminate a worthy pass-rush. The Texas Tech standout would be the perfect replacement for a fraction of the price. Max Chadwick with Pro Football Focus highlighted this by saying, “The Bengals selected one of the best run-defending edge rushers in the first round of last year's draft in Shemar Stewart and selected the best pass-rusher in this year's class with Bailey here. He leads all FBS defenders in PFF grade (93.1), pass-rush grade (93.9), pressures (81) and sacks (15)."
The pairing of Stewart and Bailey could potentially revolutionize the Bengals' defensive line. While Stewart had a lackluster rookie season due to playing just eight games, his incredible run-stopping ability was on display throughout his time at Texas A&M. If Bailey and Stewart can build off of each other’s strong suits, they could become one of the best edge rush duos in all of football in years to come.