As the Bengals head into a pivotal offseason, the path forward is clear: the defense needs help-and fast. After a season where Cincinnati finished 31st in total defense and 24th in points allowed (not even counting the nine defensive touchdowns they gave up), the urgency is real. The Bengals hold the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and with that comes a golden opportunity to land a difference-maker on that side of the ball.
From defensive line to safety, cornerback to linebacker, there are holes to fill. And if the early mock drafts are any indication, Cincinnati has a few intriguing options-though what’s available at No. 10 will likely dictate the direction.
The Caleb Downs Watch
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the name that keeps popping up. He appeared in four of 10 major mock drafts as the Bengals’ projected pick and was already off the board in five others.
That tells you everything you need to know about how highly teams view him. In fact, the only mock where Downs was still available but passed over by Cincinnati came from Daniel Jeremiah, who had the Bengals going with Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy instead.
If Downs is there at 10 and both offensive tackle Kelvin Bailey and edge rusher James Bain are gone-as they are in most mocks-it would be a surprise if Cincinnati looked elsewhere. The Bengals desperately need a long-term solution at safety, and Downs is widely considered plug-and-play. He brings range, instincts, and a physical edge-exactly what this defense has been missing on the back end.
Bailey and Bain: Long Shots to Fall
Let’s talk about Kelvin Bailey and James Bain, because they’re both top-10 talents who, in most mocks, don’t make it to Cincinnati’s pick. Bailey was off the board in nine of the 10 projections.
The one time he was still available, The Draft Network had the Bengals taking Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano instead. While Cincinnati could certainly use depth at tackle, Bailey’s ability to start from Day 1 would likely outweigh the developmental upside of someone like Fano.
But again, Bailey probably won’t be there.
Same goes for Bain. The explosive edge rusher was also taken in nine of the 10 mocks.
The only time he was still available, Bucky Brooks had the Bengals opting for Downs instead. That tells you how strong the pull is toward filling the safety need if Bain and Bailey are off the board.
What If the Big Three Are Gone?
In four mock drafts-The Athletic, Yahoo, Sporting News, and Pro Football Focus-Downs, Bailey, and Bain were all gone by the time Cincinnati was on the clock. That’s where things get interesting.
Two of those mocks (The Athletic and Sporting News) had the Bengals selecting Keldric Faulk, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive end from Auburn. Faulk is the classic traits-over-production prospect.
He only recorded 10 sacks in 37 college games, but scouts love his size, length, and potential. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projects him as a “good starter within two years,” especially if he kicks inside on passing downs, where his quickness and long arms could cause problems for interior linemen.
He’s not a finished product, but the ceiling is high.
Other Names in the Mix
Mansoor Delane, a cornerback out of LSU, is another name to watch. Yahoo’s mock has the Bengals taking him at 10.
Delane played through a core muscle injury for much of the 2025 season but still managed to flash shutdown potential. Zierlein calls him one of the top corners in a deep class and pegs him as an instant starter.
With Cincinnati needing depth-and possibly more-at corner, Delane could be a smart play if the top-tier defensive linemen and safeties are gone.
Then there’s Peter Woods, the Clemson defensive lineman projected to Cincinnati by Pro Football Focus. At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Woods is a versatile interior presence who fits multiple schemes.
He’s not the kind of player who wins quickly off the snap, but he’s a force in a collective pass rush. Think of him more as a pocket-pusher than a sack artist.
Zierlein notes that his 2024 tape might be the best indicator of what he can become, and that’s a player with real starting potential in an even front.
The Bottom Line
The Bengals are staring down a critical decision at No. 10.
If Caleb Downs is still on the board, and Bailey and Bain are gone-as most mocks suggest-he feels like the obvious pick. He checks a major need, brings elite instincts and athleticism, and could stabilize a back end that’s been anything but stable.
If all three are off the board, the Bengals will have to weigh upside versus immediate impact. Do you bet on Faulk’s frame and future?
Do you plug in a corner like Delane who can compete right away? Or do you try to beef up the interior with someone like Woods?
One thing’s for sure: with the 10th pick, the Bengals are in a position to land a foundational piece. Now it’s just a matter of who’s still standing when the clock starts ticking.