The 2026 NFL Draftwill take place in April, andthe Bengals will have the 10th pick in the first round. We've rounded up the latest projections from media outlets across the league to give you a look at who could be joining the Bengals this year.

EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN

"Bain has the ability to wreck opponent game plans. He brings power, speed and bend, and he had 9.5 sacks in 2025. Defensive coordinator Al Golden could move him around on the D-line to find matchup advantages and turn him loose in the pass rush."

Brianna Dix - Buccaneers.com

"Bain has the temperament and disposition in the trenches that teams covet. He has violent hands, explosive power and bend at the top of rushes. Bain eats blocks like a defensive lineman but has the quickness of an edge rusher."

NFL.com - Gennaro Filice

"Bain's an accomplished, squatty-bodied grinder who just posted an FBS-best 83 pressures, per PFF. Twenty-four of those pressures -- as well as five sacks -- came in a four-game CFB playoff run that fully showcased his violent game-wrecking ability."

LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.

"Styles would be a slam dunk to drop in the middle of the defense."

NFL.com - Charles Davis

"Styles is a top-five talent they cannot pass up."

S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

CBS Sports - Tom Fornelli

"Caleb Downs is an instinctive, highly skilled, versatile safety who can be used in a number of different spots and in a number of different ways, and he never takes a snap off. He has a knack for being the guy who makes The Play every time one is needed."

NFL.com - Daniel Jeremiah

"Cincinnati stays in-state with this pick."

Athlon Sports - Luke Easterling

"Getting the best player in the entire draft with the No. 10 overall pick is absolutely unfair, but that's what the Bengals do in this scenario. Downs is an elite playmaker who can line up all over the field and make life miserable for opposing offenses, but positional value could keep him on the board longer than his talent should warrant."

CBS Sports - Blake Brockermeyer

"A high-IQ leader and alpha presence, he excels in both phases. He can erase tight ends, holds up as a run defender in the box and tackles well in space."

CBS Sports - Garrett Podell

"Downs is [a] Swiss Army Knife of a defensive back who can line up in coverage at strong safety, nickel or even in sub packages as a linebacker. Downs is an A-plus blitzer thanks to his instincts, and he's strong against the run with great tackling angles."

CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

USA Today - Ayrton Ostly

"Delane was a shutdown technician for LSU in 2025 and is as pro-ready as they get in this class."

OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Pro Football Focus - Gordon McGuinness

"Mauigoa spent the past three seasons at right tackle but could easily kick inside to guard... He is coming off an 85.8 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets in 2025."

CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Fox Sports Research

"He was a first-team All-American last season, finishing with four interceptions and seven passes defended while also holding opposing QBs to a 53.6 passer rating (PFF)."

The Athletic - Cameron Teague Robinson

"McCoy did not play in 2025 due to a torn ACL but was so good for the Vols as a transfer from Oregon State in 2024 that he's worth the top-10 pick... He can play in man coverage but also bait passers in zone coverage. This pick also assumes that McCoy, who had four interceptions and 13 passes defended in 2024, can show NFL teams a promising medical report"

DT Caleb Banks, Florida

Sports Illustrated - Justin Melo

"Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks established himself as a first-round prospect at this year's Senior Bowl, and he could continue climbing draft boards during this week's NFL Combine."