Trey Hendrickson has been a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense since arriving in Cincinnati, but the 2025 season may mark the end of his impactful run in stripes. After leading the NFL in sacks just a year ago, injuries have cut his current campaign short - and with age and contract status factoring in, it’s far from a guarantee he returns in 2026.
That puts the Bengals in a familiar but pressing position heading into the offseason: searching for answers off the edge. With a projected top-10 pick in April’s draft, Cincinnati could be eyeing a pass rusher early - and one name rising to the top of that list is Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr.
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, Field Yates has the Bengals selecting Bain with the 10th overall pick. It’s a move that would make a lot of sense for a team potentially losing both Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai - the latter currently leading the team in sacks - to free agency.
The Bengals hoped this scenario wouldn’t arrive so soon, having spent a first-round pick on Shemar Stewart earlier this year. But Stewart’s impact has been minimal, and the defense as a whole has struggled - allowing a league-worst 6.3 yards per play.
Enter Bain. While some scouts have raised concerns about his arm length - a trait that could push him lower on some draft boards - there’s no denying his production or motor.
He’s explosive off the line, powerful through contact, and plays with a relentlessness that earned him ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Simply put, offenses had no answer for him in college.
That kind of disruption is exactly what Cincinnati needs. The Bengals have made multiple investments in their pass rush over the years, but if Bain is still available at No. 10, it would be hard to justify passing on a player with his upside. He fits the mold of what defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo covets: high-motor, technically sound, and capable of creating havoc in the backfield.
With Hendrickson’s future uncertain and Ossai potentially on the move, the Bengals have a clear need. Bain could be more than just a replacement - he might be the next foundational piece in Cincinnati’s evolving defensive identity.