Cincinnati Bengals
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A new development could benefit Cincinnati in the draft
The Cincinnati Bengals used the first week of free agency to overhaul their defense, as they signed three free agents to multi-year deals, while also allowing previous starters like Trey Hendrickson and Geno Stone to walk.
While the Bengals’ defense will undoubtedly look different in the 2026 season, not everyone seems to believe that the team did enough to get better next season.Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano gave the Bengals’ offseason a “C-” grade.
Manzano wrote, “It would have been better for the Bengals to wait until the draft to add defensive help because it didn’t make sense to pay the 31-year-old Allen knowing that he struggled last season with the Vikings. They desperately need younger cornerstone players on that side of the ball. However, Cook is only 26, and he showed plenty of upside in his four seasons in Kansas City. Perhaps Mafe can reach his potential in Cincinnati, but it’s hard to see that when he couldn’t convince Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald to utilize him more the past two seasons.”
Fortunately, the Bengals still have a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and the team has recently received some good news that can help improve their draft day situation.
Cincinnati Bengals Receive Good News Ahead of NFL Draft
One thing that tends to occur prior to every NFL Draft is quarterbacks rising up team’s boards, due to the importance of the position and the lack of quality quarterbacks around the league. Fortunately for the Bengals, they are set at the position with Joe Burrow. However, being in that spot is rare for a team picking inside of the top 10, which is where teams tend to reach for quarterbacks.
This year, what was originally viewed as a one-quarterback class with Fernando Mendoza, has now started to become a two-quarterback class, with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson generating buzz.ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky said, “I think Ty Simpson is QB1. I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class,” he added, “I think when you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks, you have to start with the question, who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson, and it’s not close between those two quarterbacks. Who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson. It’s not even close.”
Former NFL general managerMike Tannenbaum replied on X, “In talking to clubs this opinion is shared by other teams as well.”
How the Bengals Benefit
Regarding how this is good news for the Bengals,Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell wrote,“The Bengals want as many quarterbacks, wide receivers and even offensive linemen to go in the first nine picks of the 2026 NFL Draft,” Pressnell added, “As a result, somebody like Ruben Bain Jr. or Sonny Styles could end up falling to pick No. 10.
For Bengals fans, it would be a good thing to see Simpson come off the board ahead of their selection. That will leave more prospects available for the Bengals to select.”
The team has been linked with many of the top defensive prospects in this year’s class, and a player like Simpson climbing inside the top 10 could result in the Bengals having their top player available.