Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals were predicted to add a player who has drawn comparisons to Minkah Fitzpatrick
The goal for the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason has been clear: improving the defense. That came after the team allowed the third-most points in the NFL last season. As a result, the Bengals missed the postseason for the third consecutive season despite having a top-10 scoring offense.
Offensively, the Bengals remain one of the most talented teams in the NFL and their moves this offseason ensured that wouldn’t change. The team re-signed guard Dalton Risner, who was one of the team’s best surprises last season, and re-signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, who played at a high level while Joe Burrow missed time with a turf toe injury.
Defensively, the team lost All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Baltimore Ravens. However, the Bengals used that money on three players that are expected to start on the Cincinnati defense. They signed former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe to athree-year, $60 million contract, former Kansas City Chiefs safetyBryan Cook to a three-year, $40.2 million contract, and former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $25 million contract.
Despite the moves, the expectation remains that Cincinnati will invest in their defense during the 2026 NFL Draft. And now, they have been projected to add a player who has been getting comparisons to former Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Cincinnati Bengals Predicted to Draft Caleb Downs
CBS Sports insider Pete Prisco released his latest mock draft, and projected the Bengals would select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 10 selection. Regarding the pick, Prisco said, “They need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. He has range to allow him to do a lot of things in their defense.”
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly compared Downs to Minkah Fitzpatrick, largely due to his versatility.Kelly wrote of Downs:
“His versatility is one of the first things that stands out: He split his time at deep safety, over the slot, in the box, and on the line, and he even took a handful of snaps outside at corner. He is adept at reading the quarterback’s eyes to react quickly and jump into throwing lanes. He keeps his head on a swivel and shows awareness for developing routes, working himself into position to undercut the receiver and get to a spot where he can make a play on the ball.
He’s sticky in coverage when playing in man, and he understands spacing in zone, showing a feel for splitting the difference between two different receivers so he can still make a play on either. Downs is lightning quick as a blitzer, exploding through gaps in the line to arrive at the quarterback or ballcarrier. He takes good angles to the ball and chops his feet to gather himself and make the tackle. He’s a good form tackler, staying low and wrapping up. He communicates with teammates and gets them lined up in the right spot.”
Potential Fit With the Bengals
Downs has been a popular candidate for the Bengals throughout the draft process, as many believe he is a perfect fit for Cincinnati’s defense.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen described the potential fit. He wrote:
“I think Downs could go higher in the top 10, but this was the best fit in my eyes after the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook in free agency.
Under coordinator Al Golden, Downs would be an interchangeable safety. He could rotate low in single-high zone, while playing over the top from depth. Plus, with Downs’ ability to create disruption near the line of scrimmage, Golden can play him as a big nickelback in three-safety personnel. He has the urgent play demeanor to set the identity of Cincinnati’s defense.”