The Cincinnati Bengals have faced challenges since reaching the Super Bowl and the AFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons in 2021 and 2022. The team has a 24-27 record in the three years since.
To achieve the same level of success, the Bengals must make significant improvements to their defense. Over the past two seasons, they have had one of the weakest defenses in the NFL, finishing last year with the second-worst performance in the league.
The team then lost star EDGE Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. So, they need some big-time players on that side of the ball. That's why Luke Easterling of Athlon Sports predicts the Bengals will select Caleb Downs, a two-time All-American safety from Ohio State, with the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates his interception. Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
"Speaking of ideal scenarios, the Bengals should be throwing a massive party in their draft room if Downs falls to them here," Easterling wrote. "Arguably the best player in the entire draft, regardless of position, Downs is a three-level playmaker who can line up all over the field and create takeaways when the ball comes his way. This defense is desperate for impact players at any position, and Downs is exactly what they need to start rebuilding this unit."
Downs' fit in Cincinnati would immediately address one of the defense's biggest issues: a lack of playmakers. His versatility allows him to impact the game at all three levels, whether it's dropping into coverage, stepping into the box against the run, or creating turnovers in key moments. That kind of flexibility is exactly what the Bengals have been missing as their defense has struggled to generate consistent stops.
More importantly, Downs changes the ceiling of the unit. Instead of relying on scheme to mask weaknesses, Cincinnati would have a player capable of dictating how offenses attack them. His instincts and range could help clean up breakdowns on the back end while also creating opportunities for takeaways, something the Bengals have lacked in recent seasons.
In a division loaded with high-level quarterback play, having a defender who can disrupt timing and create chaos becomes even more valuable. Downs offers that presence, giving Cincinnati a foundational piece to build around as it looks to reshape its defense moving forward.
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