Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals are projected to address the cornerback position in the draft
The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be focused on improving their defense this offseason. The team’s offense was able to maintain its status as a top-10 unit despite missing quarterback Joe Burrow for most of the season with a turf toe injury. However, they had their worst record since the 2020 season primarily because their defense allowed the third-most points in the NFL last season.
The team entered free agency with over $50 million in available cap space, which resulted in Cincinnati signingthree defenderstomulti-year contracts. Now, the Bengals will shift gears and focus on the upcoming NFL Draft, where they have their highest pick since drafting Ja’Marr Chase in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Insider Reveals Likely Bengals Draft Plan
The Cincinnati Bengals currently hold the 10th pick in the draft, and all signs seem to be pointing to the Bengals taking a defender with that pick. While most analysts have suggested the Bengals take one of the top three pass rushers in this year’s draft class, an insider has revealed that Cincinnati may take a different approach with their first pick.
Regarding what he has been hearing about the Bengals’ draft,ESPN’s Matt Miller wrote:
“The Bengals are in prime position to address their cornerback need at No. 10. Mansoor Delane (LSU) and Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) sit atop the CB board, and it’s likely one will be there when Cincinnati picks. After signing Mafe, it sounds like the secondary is the team’s Round 1 priority.”
Additionally, ESPN Bengals writer Ben Baby wrote about what the best approach for the Bengals would be. Baby wrote:
“The Bengals need a Week 1 difference-maker with their first pick, and Cincinnati is in a great spot to take one at No. 10. There are plenty of immediate-starter options, especially in the secondary. If the board falls in the Bengals’ favor, that rookie could join the big free agent additions (edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen) and the ascending players on rookie deals (cornerback Dax Hill, cornerback DJ Turner II, edge Myles Murphy).”
Cornerbacks in Upcoming Draft
If the Bengals do indeed plan on taking a cornerback, the two most likely names are McCoy and Delane. While Delane seems to be the safer of the two players,some view McCoy as having higher potential. McCoy missed the 2025 college football season with an injury, but impressed during his Pro Day.
Miller predicted Cincinnati would go with the safer player and draft Delane in his mock draft.Miller wrote:
“The Bengals could try to bolster the interior of the defensive line, but drafting a cornerback with the skills to excel on the outside or in the slot might be more beneficial in the AFC North.
Delane was the best cornerback I studied in 2025, with feisty play at the line of scrimmage and excellent instincts in coverage. He doesn’t have elite measurables (6-foot, 190 pounds), but Delane’s timing and quickness on click-and-close plays stands out above the rest of the cornerback class.”